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KENTUCKY 


GEOLOGICAL  SURVEY 


FOURTH  SERIES 
VOLUME  THREE 


PART  THREE 


J.  B.  HOEING,  State  Geologist. 


FRANKFORT,  KY. 
1918. 


THE  STATE  JOURNAL  COMPANY 
Printer  to  the  Commonweakh 
Frankfort,  Kentucky. 


5’S'] 
K<H  3 

ma-4tV  ■'S 


COALS 

OF  THE 

NORTH  FORK  OF  KENTUCKY  RIVER 

IN 

PERRY  AND  PORTIONS  OF  BREATHITT  AND 
KNOTT  COUNTIES 

BY 

JAMES  M.  HODGE 


2 

V- 


M,  /*  A 


23 


CONTENTS 


Page 

Troublesome  Creek  14 

Hayes  Branch  , 15 

Halfway  Branch  15 

Riley  Branch  16 

Barge  Creek  17 

Right  Fork  18 

Lewis  Branch  19 

Russell  Branch  20 

Andy  Branch  21 

Right  Fork  23 

Millers  Branch  24 

Caney  Creek  2£ 

Right  Fork  29 

Fugate  Fork  31 

Laurel  Fork  . 33 

Left  Fork  34 

Lower  Beaverdam  Branch  37 

Buckhorn  Creek  . 40 

Laurel  Branch  41 

Bear  Branch  42 

Miller  Branch  42 

Mullins  Fork  43 

Long  Fork  44 

Rush  Branch  45 

Williams  Fork  45 

Chestnut  Gap  Branch  46 

Lewis  Fork  48 

Clements  Fork  48 

Dans  Fork  50 

Hurricane  Branch  51 

Bough-camp  Branch  52 

Fallen  Rock  Branch  53 

Upper  Beaver  Dam  Branch  54 

Cat  Hollow  54 

Francis  Branch  55 

Noble  Branch  57 

Steve  Branch  58 

Rowdy  Branch  58 

McNelly  Branch  61 

Tom’s  Branch  62 

Right  Fork  62 


VI 


Contents. 


Left  Fork  

McJilton  Branch  

Left  Fork  

Laurel  Branch  

Williams  Branch  

Buck  Fork  

Beech  Branch  

Right  Fork  

Balls  Fork  

Lick  Branch  

Georges  Branch  

Roaring  Branch  

Elisha  Fork  

Big  Branch  

Beech  Creek 

Sand  Lick  Branch 

Road  Branch  

Right  Fork  

Zach’  Branch  

Rattlesnake  Branch 

Laurel  Creek  

Hard  Branch  

Old  Trace  Branch  

Okl-house  Branch  

Trace  Branch  

Pond  Branch  

Knob  Bottom  Branch 

Garden  Branch  

Sand  Lick  Branch  

Stewart  Fork  

Gearhart  Branch  

Conley  Branch  .... 

Buck  Branch  

Wiley  Branch  

Combs  Fork  

Georges  Branch  .... 

Bowling  Fork  

Long  Fork  

Little  Ball  Fork  

Pigeon  Roost  Branch  

Coalstone  Branch  

Right  Fork  

Left  Fork  

Coles  Branch  

Laurel  Lick  Branch  

Bear  Branch  


Page 
. 63 
. 64 
65 
. 65 
. 65 
. 66 
. 67 
. 68 
. 69 
. 69 
. 71 
. 73 
. 73 
. 74 
. 74 
. 76 
. 76 
. 78 
. 79 
. 79 
. 80 
. 81 
. 81 
. 82 
. 82 
. 84 
. 86 
. 88 
. 88 
. 89 
. 91 
. 91 
. 93 
. 94 
. 95 
. 95 
. 97 
. 98 
. 98 
. 99 
. 99 
. 100 
. 100 
. 102 
. 103 
. 104 


Contents.  vii 

Page 

Combs  Branch  104 

Right  Fork  105 

Left  Fork  108 

Trace  Branch  109 

Clear  Creek  110 

Shop  Hollow  110 

Right  Fork  110 

Long  Branch  Ill 

Cockrell  Trace  Ill 

Dick’s  Branch  112 

Buzzard  Branch  112 

Montgomery  Creek  116 

Short  Branch  118 

Walker  Branch  119 

Mill  Creek  120 

Buck  Lick  Branch  : 120 

Big  Branch  .. . : 121 

Sweet  Gum  Branch  121 

Right  Fork  123 

Ogden  Branch  123 

Baker  Branch  123 

Pushback  Branch  124 

Cy  Everidge  Branch  126 

Hindman  127 

Right  Fork  127 

Baker  Branch  128 

Perkins  Branch  129 

Cave  Branch  131 

Parks  Branch  132 

Trace  Fork  134 

Right  Fork  135 

Left  Fork  135 

Saw  Pit  Branch  137 

Calhoun  Branch  137 

Cy  Branch  137 

Sams  Branch  138 

Reynolds  Fork  138 

Left  Fork  140 

Owens  Branch  140 

Possum  Trot  Branch  141 

Mill  Creek  141 

Jones  Fork  143 

Nealy  Branch  143 

Alum  Cave  Branch  145 

First  Creek  149 

Bee  Branch  : 1.  151 


Contents. 


viii 

Page 

Peter  Branch  152 

Wolf  Pen  Branch  152 

White  Oak  Branch  153 

Road  Branch  155 

Lots  Creek  to  Carr’s  Fork  155-159 

Lost  Creek  164 

Ten  Mile  Creek 165 

Collins  Branch  165 

Low  Gap  Branch  165 

Fifteen  Mile  Creek  166 

Sixteen  Mile  Creek  168 

Strong  Branch  168 

Hiram  Branch  163 

Low  Gap  Branch  170 

Will  Branch  171 

Camp  Branch  171 

Bowman  Branch 171 

Rock  Fork  172 

Laurel  Fork  173 

Lots  Creek  175 

Trace  Fork  175 

Lost  Creek  Road  Fork  175 

Pigeon  Roost  Road  Fork  176 

Jake  Fork  178 

Sang  Fork  179 

Elk  Fork  182 

Clear  Fork  182 

Dickson  Branch  184 

Youngs  Fork  185 

Buck  Branch  185 

Elk  Lick  Fork . 187 

Kelly  Fork  187 

Upper  Second  Creek  189 

Combs  Fork  * 190 

Walker  Branch  191 

Hazard  192 

Gregory  Branch  194 

Bear  Branch  197 

Buckeye  Creek  198 

Campbells  Creek  to  Big  Creek  201 

Campbell  Creek  207 

Left  Fork  207 

Right  Branch  209 

Right  Fork  . 210 

Left  Fork  210 

Big  Meadow  (Oliver)  Branch  211 


Contents. 


ix 


Pag  3 

Little  Meadow  Branch  212 

Cary  Branch  214 

Forked  Mouth  Creek  214 

Laurel  Fork  214 

Colwell  Fork  215 

Ivy  Gap  Fork  217 

Willard  Creek  219 

Little  Willard  Creek  . 220 

Fugate  Fork  220 

Hurricane  Fork  223 

Brier-Patch  Branch  223 

Frier-Camp  Branch  225 

Big  Beech  Fork  227 

Road  Fork  228 

Little  Beech  Fork  229 

Bubby  Root  Branch  229 

Ben  Couch  Branch  231 

Big  Creek  232 

Brown  Fork  232 

Curley  Fork  232 

Campbell  Branch  234 

Sheep  Hollow  235 

Bull  Fork  236 

Coal  Harbor  Branch  237 

Amy  Fork  239 

Steep  Field  Branch  239 

Boar  Branch  243 

Whittaker  Branch  244 

Wolf  Branch  245 

Ben’s  Branch  246 

Nigger  Branch  246 

Jack’s  Branch  247 

Buffalo  Fork  247 

Carr  Fork  253,  255 

Acup  Branch  256 

Millseat  Branch  257 

White  Oak  Branch  260 

Scuddy  Branch  260 

Georges  Branch  262 

Montgomery  Branch  263 

Kelly  Fork  264 

Stacey  Branch  _ 266 

Yellow  Creek  267 

Red  Oak  Branch  268 

Negro  Branch  269 

Sassafras  Creek  270 


X 


Contents. 


Page 

Kelly  Branch 271 

Irishman  Creek  272 

Right  Fork  272 

Trace  Fork  273 

Big  Branch  ... 277 

Mill  Branch  277 

Left  Fork  278 

Right  Fork  280 

Little  Branch  281 

Smith  Branch  281 

Defeated  Branch  283 

Breeding  Creek  284 

Sugar  Branch  285 

Mallet  Fork  285 

Left  Fork  286 

Little  Carr  (Amburgy  Branch)  289 

Wolf  Pen  Branch  291 

Little  Double  Branch  293 

Big  Double  Branch  294 

Stillhouse  Branch  295 

Left  Fork  295 

Right  Fork  296 

Betty  Troublesome  Creek  296 

Dice’s  Branch  296 

Deadman’s  Branch  296 

Turkey  Pe!i  Branch  297 

Buckeye  Branch  300 

Smith  Branch  301 

Deer  Fork  304 

Branham  Creek  305 

Bentley  Fork  307 

Walnut  Fork  307 

Mallet  Fork  309 

Shop  Hollow  ' 309 

Hayes  Branch  310 

Willard  Branch  311 

Nealy  Branch  313 

Spring  Branch  315 

Collins  Branch  316 

Buffalo  Branch  317 

Roaring  Branch  318 

Turkey  Branch  319 

Wildcat  Branch  319 

Carr’s  Fork  to  Bull  Creek  325 

Big  Branch  323 

Ford  Branch  328 


Contents. 


xi 


Page 

Bull  Creek  331 

Macies  Creek  to  Leather  wood  Creek  337 

Macies  Creek  342 

Right  Fork  342 

Big  Branch  344 

Wooten  Branch  344 

Stafford  Fork  346 

Fields  Fork  347 

Wells  Fork  347 

Middle  Fork  349 

Pound  Mill  Branch  349 

Holly  Thicket  Branch  350 

Lick  Branch  351 

Old  Rock  Branch  352 

Left  Fork  352 

North  Fork  353 

Dike  Branch  354 

Campbell  Branch  355 

Brier  Branch  356 

Leatherwood  Creek  357 

Little  Leatherwood  358 

Bent  Branch  358 

Twin  Branch  358 

Fender  Creek  359 

Nat  Branch  360 

Hicks  Branch  : 362 

Right  Fork  362 

Left  Fork  363 

Deep  Hole  Branch  364 

Puncheon  Camp  Branch  365 

Bee-Hive  Branch  365 

Owens  Branch  366 

Right  Fork  367 

Left  Fork  367 

Beech  Fork  368 

Left  Fork  370 

Grave  Branch  : 371 

Clover  Fork  372 

Right  Fork  373 

Lynn  Branch  375 

Oldhouse  Branch  376 

Stony  Fork  377 

Baker  Branch  378 

Beech  Rock  Branch  381 

Bark  Camp  Branch  381 

Analyses  385 


LETTER  OF  TRANSMITTAL 


To  His  Excellency,  A.  0.  Stanley, 

Governor  of  Kentucky. 

Sik: — I have  the  honor  to  transmit  Volume  Three, 
Part  Three  of  the  new  Series  Pour  of  the  reports  of  the 
Kentucky  Geological  Survey. 

This  report  treats  of  the  coals  of  the  North  Fork 
of  Kentucky  river  from  the  mouth  of  Campbell  creek 
up  to  the  Letcher  County  line  and  covers  the  territory 
where  the  greatest  development  is  now  in  progress,  with 
the  exception  of  Letcher  County.  A report  covering 
the  latter  county  has  already  been  issued. 

Very  respectfully, 

J.  B.  LIoeing, 

State  Geologist. 


INTRODUCTION 


Tlie  following  includes  reports  on  the  coals  of  the 
North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River  in  the  counties  of 
Perry  and  portions  of  Breathitt  and  Knott,  and  com- 
prises results  obtained  in  the  years  1912,  1913,  1914  and 
1915. 

Some  of  this  work  has  already  been  printed  in  Vol- 
umes I.  and  II.,  and  some  of  it  is  now  printed  for 
the  first  time.  For  convenience  in  reference  all  have  been 
combined  in  this  one  volume.  The  territory  covered 
comprises  Troublesome  creek,  the  head  waters  of  Lost 
creek  and  the  North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River  and  its 
tributaries  from  the  mouth  of  Campbells  creek  in 
Breathitt  County  up  to  and  including  Bull  creek  at  the 
Letcher  County  line. 

For  data  above  Bull  creek,  reference  is  made  to  the 
report  on  Letcher  County,  Volume  4,  Part  1. 

Accompanying  the  present  report  are  a number  of 
sections  and  analyses  of  coals  from  operating  mines 
along  the  L.  and  E.  branch  of  the  L.  and  N.  Railroad. 

These  were  taken  by  the  Survey  in  co-operation  with 
the  United  States  Bureau  of  Mines  and  the  analyses 
made  in  the  laboratories  of  the  Bureau  of  Mines.  In 
each  case  samples  were  carefully  taken  at  different  points 
in  the  mines  and  analysis  made  of  each  sample  and  a 
composite  analysis  representing  the  whole  mine. 

J.  B.  Hoeing, 

State  Geologist. 


THE  COALS  OF  TROUBLESOME  CREEK  IN 
BREATHITT,  PERRY  AND  KNOTT 
COUNTIES. 


This  report  follows  an  investigation  of  tlie  drainage 
area  of  Troublesome  creek,  with  the  exception  of  Lost 
creek  and  its  tributaries. 

Recently  issued  topographical  maps  cover  the  whole 
region,  and  have  served,  with  the  aid  of  a barometer,  in 
getting  altitudes  of  coal  openings  to  a close  approxima- 
tion, thereby  enabling  correlations,  which  without  these 
maps  would  have  been  slow  and  far  more  difficult 
operations,  with  results  far  less  reliable. 

The  general  dip  of  the  strata  is  northwesterly, 
rather  more  toward  the  north  than  an  air  line  from  the 
head  of  the  creek  to  its  mouth.  In  that  distance  of  27 
miles  the  total  dip  is  about  475  feet,  or  at  a rate  of  17% 
feet  per  mile. 

On  the  upper  half  of  the  creek  the  greatest  dip  is 
more  nearlv  northward  and  amounts  to  about  22  feet 
per  mile  on  a line  passing  nearly  through  Hindman  from 
Cave  branch  to  Vest,  a distance  of  7 miles. 

Throughout  the  field  there  are  rolls  and  local 
changes  of  dip  of  little  consequence  except  in  mining, 
but  nothing  has  been  seen  in  the  field  of  serious  import 
for  the  miner,  so  far  as  dip  is  concerned. 


6 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


The  principal  coal  beds  above  drainage  in  the  region 
with  approximate  intervals  between  them  are  as  follows : 

Hindman  Coal 

Interval  50  to  80  feet. 

Francis  Coal. 

Interval  80  to  100  feet. 

Flag  Coal. 

Interval  0 (?)  to  80  feet. 

Hazard  Coal. 

Interval  50  to  110  feet. 

Haddix  Coal. 

Interval  100  feet. 

Hamlin  Coal. 

Interval  70  to  80  feet. 

Fire-clay  Coal  Rider. 

Interval  20  to  30  feet. 

Fire-clay  Coal. 

Interval  30  to  50  feet. 

Whitesburg  Coal. 

Interval  120  feet. 

Amburgy  Coal. 


All  of  these  coals  except  the  Hamlin  coal  are  of  work- 
able thickness  in  this  field,  but  the  four  highest  ones  alone 
maintain  such  thickness  throughout  large  areas,  unless 
possibly  the  Amburgy  bed  does.  The  Hazard  bed,  mined 
on  First  creek  and  about  Hazard,  is  the  most  reliable  in 
thickness,  having  ample  thickness  for  mining  over  much 
of  Perry  County.  The  Fire-clay  coal,  also  mined  about 
Hazard,  has  good  mining  areas  of  superior  coal  above 
the  flint-clav  parting.  Its  variable  thickness,  however, 
renders  it  of  uncertain  value  over  extended  areas.  A 
coal  higher  than  the  Hindman  was  found  in  one  place  on 
Flint  Ridge,  but  it  can  hardly  be  of  any  value  at  such 
height,  even  if  elsewhere  of  considerable  thickness. 

Hindman  Coal. 

This  bed  is  too  high  to  work  in  this  field  excepting 
in  or  near  the  ridge  between  Troublesome  and  Quick- 
sand waters.  It  appears  to  be  made  up  of  three  coal 
beds  which  have  been  opened  on  the  head  of  Fugate 
fork,  reduced  to  two  beds  on  the  head  of  Bear  branch 
and  to  one  on  Lewis  fork.  Elsewhere  on  the  continu- 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


7 


ation  of  the  dividing  ridge  it  is  not  known  to  have  been 
opened,  and  the  few  other  openings  seen  in  the  field  have 
all  been  more  or  less  covered.  The  Lewis  fork  opening 
showed  8 to  10  feet  of  coal,  with  one  eleven-inch  and  one 
twenty-one-inch  parting,  and  another  opening  above 
Hindman,  nearly  10  feet  of  coal  without  apparent  parting. 

The  interval  between  the  Hindman  and  Francis  beds, 
excepting  the  floor  of  the  former  and  roof  of  the  latter, 
the  thickness  of  neither  of  which  lias  as  yet  been  found, 
is  occupied  wholly  by  a massive  sandstone.  This  sand- 
stone, where  near  the  hilltops,  has  a tendency  to  break 
off  in  irregular  blocks,  10  to  20  feet  square,  and  any- 
where up  to  40  feet  in  height.  On  Rowdy  branch  the  sand- 
stone is  about  80  feet  thick,  forming  miniature  plateaus 
on  the  hilltops  in  that  vicinity.  Elsewhere  it  has  been 
found  generally  about  50  feet  thick. 

Francis  Coal. 

A bed  has  been  mentioned  in  former  Kentucky  river 
reports  as  having  been  found  50  to  80  feet  below  the 
Hindman  bed,  or  100  feet  above  the  Flag  bed,  but  it  was 
so  rarely  found  and  so  high  up  as  to  be  of  little  con- 
sequence, although  of  usually  good  thickness.  The 
pitches  of  strata,  however,  bring  the  bed  to  reasonable 
height  for  working  in  the  northwestern  part  of  the  field. 
The  name  4 ‘ Francis  ” applied  to  this  bed  elsewhere  is 
also  used  here. 

Although  the  bed  heretofore  has  been  found  nearly 
or  quite  without  partings,  it  appears  to  be  constant  in 
this  field,  in  having  three  or  four  and  even  five  of  them, 
making  with  its  2V2  to  5 feet  of  coal  a total  thickness 
of  4 to  10  feet.  The  bed  is  best  shown,  in  connection 
with  lower  beds,  above  Vest,  on  Balls  fork,  on  Trace, 
Pond  and  Sand  Lick  branches.  Only  isolated  openings 
have  been  found  in  the  field  elsewhere,  but  their  resemb- 
lance to  these  is  manifest. 

The  interval  between  the  Francis  and  Flag  beds 
seems  to  be  uniformly  about  100  feet,  composed  mainly 
of  sandstone,  which  frequently  appears  in  cliffs. 


8 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


The  Flag  Coal. 

This  bed  usually  has  a sandstone  roof  or  cliff  sand- 
stone close  above  it.  Beginning  with  two  partings  in  the 
bed  at  the  mouth  of  Troublesome  creek  they  are  soon 
increased  to  four  and  retain  that  number  up  the  creek 
to  Balls  fork  and  up  it  to  its  head.  On  Buckliorn  creek 
and  to  some  extent  in  isolated  openings  on  Troublesome 
creek  above  Balls  fork  and  on  Lots  creek,  the  lower 
four  feet  of  the  bed  usually  includes  a parting  of  about 
one  foot.  Such  regularity  of  section,  combined  with 
fairly  frequent  openings,  has  given  correlation  a degree 
of  certainty  not  often  attained  in  Eastern  Kentucky  ex- 
cept in  connection  with  the  Fire-clay  coal  or  after  elab- 
orate investigation.  This  is  true,  notwithstanding  a sim- 
ilar bed  section  of  the  Francis  coal  and  in  some  instances 
of  the  Hazard  bed  close  beneath. 

Where  the  full  section  of  this  bed  is  uncovered  the 
upper  seams  of  coal  are  usually  of  poor  quality,  the 
weight  of  the  coal  evidencing  a large  proportion  of  ash, 
but  in  some  instances  this  does  not  apply.  The  middle 
seams  are  of  good  coal  and  the  lower  seams  generally 
still  better.  On  Troublesome  creek  below  Buckliorn,  can- 
nel  occasionally  appears  in  the  lower  seam,  and  again  on 
Clements  fork  of  Buckliorn  creek. 

The  interval,  mostly  sandstone,  between  the  Flag 
and  Hazard  beds,  is  usually  somewhat  under  50  feet. 
Opportunities  for  obtaining  it  where  the  two  beds  are 
found  at  one  locality  are  few.  Near  the  mouth  of  Trou- 
blesome creek  it  is  about  80  feet,  but  it  decreases  to  about 
50  feet  on  Rowdy  branch.  On  the  head  of  Combs  branch 
it  is  about  60  feet,  on  Coates  branch,  3 y2  miles  north- 
ward, it  is  25  feet,  while  across  the  ridge  from  the  head 
of  that  branch,  westward,  toward  Balls  fork,  less  than 
a mile  in  distance,  the  two  beds  are  believed  to  be  in 
contact.  On  the  head  of  Long  fork  of  Buckhorn  creek 
they  are  45  feet  apart.  On  the  large  area,  south  of 
Troublesome  creek,  above  Combs  branch,  no  oppor- 
tunity was  found  for  getting  the  interval. 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


9 


The  Hazard  Coal. 

From  the  mouth  of  Troublesome  creek  to  near  the 
head  of  Long  fork  of  Buckhorn  creek  the  Hazard  bed 
varies  generally  in  thickness  of  coal  from  3 to  5 feet,  in 
the  latter  case  having  one  or  two  partings.  On  the  head 
of  Long  fork  it  has  over  8 feet  of  coal  with  three  part- 
ings, similar  to  the  Flag  coal  formerly  opened  above  it 
there.  On  Buckhorn  creek  above  Dan’s  fork  it  seems 
to  be  thin,  the  few  openings  made  having  become  cov- 
ered, so  far  as  learned. 

On  Balls  fork  openings  into  this  bed  are  few.  On 
Roaring  branch  there  is  4 feet  of  clean  coal  in  it;  on 
Big  branch  but  3 feet,  and  above  Big  branch  still  less. 

On  Beech  branch,  below  Balls  fork,  it  is  opened 
with  8 feet  of  coal  and  two  small  partings.  Above  that 
creek,  south  of  Balls  fork,  it  holds  to  a usual  minimum 
of  4 feet  to  above  Hindman. 

The  coal  appears  to  be  of  good  quality,  similar  to 
that  now  mined  near  Hazard,  and  throughout  most  of 
the  field  the  only  question  as  to  its  value  lies  in  the  area 
which  it  covers.  Along  the  main  streams  the  coal  lies 
near  the  tops  of  the  hills,  but  their  dividing  ridges  afford 
a large  field  for  operations. 

The  interval  from  the  Hazard  to  the  Haddix  bed 
consists  mostly  of  sandstone,  including  possibly  Die 
Young  coal,  found  40  to  60  feet  below  the  Hazard  coal 
on  Lots  creek,  but  not  discovered  in  the  Troublesome 
creek  field.  The  Hazard-Haddix  interval  is  considerably 
less  over  much  of  this  field  than  there  and  the  Young 
coal  is  probably  absent  in  consequence.  On  lower 
Troublesome  creek  the  interval  is  probably  about  100 
feet,  while  on  Rowdy  branch  it  is  only  about  35  feet,  but 
on  Toms  branch,  2%  miles  southeast,  it  is  100  feet,  and 
on  the  head  of  Clear  creek  120  feet.  Elsewhere  it  has 
generally  been  found  60  to  80  feet,  but  on  the  head  of 
Long  Fork  it  is  but  55  feet. 

The  Haddix  Coal. 

This  bed  usually  lies  close  between  sandstones,  the 
upper  one  showing  often  5 to  10  feet  of  smooth  face  and 
the  lower  one  10  to  20  feet  or  more. 


10 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


Excepting  at  one  opening,  opposite  the  mouth  of 
Riley  branch,  where  the  bed  has  3%  feet  of  coal  with 
two  small  partings,  so  far  as  found  on  lower  Trouble- 
some creek,  it  is  only  about  2 feet  thick.  On  Noble 
branch  it  attains  a thickness  of  33  inches  of  clean  coal, 
one  opening  having  24  inches  of  it  as  cannel  coal.  From 
Noble  branch  it  increases  to  4 feet  with  two  small  part- 
ings on  Toms  branch.  On  Williams  branch  and  on 
Georges  branch  of  Balls  fork  it  has  some  cannel  coal, 
but  is  too  thin  to  work.  On  Rush  branch  of  Long  fork 
of  Buckhorn  creek,  on  the  head  of  Long  fork  and  again 
on  Hurricane  and  Boughcamp  branches  of  Buckhorn 
creek,  it  has  about  3 feet  of  clean  coal.  On  Big  and 
Rattlesnake  branches  of  Balls  fork  and  in  the  vicinity 
of  Vest  it  is  barely  workable.  On  Pond  and  Sand  Lick 
branches  it  carries  a little  cannel  coal.  Of  the  numerous 
other  outcrops  of  the  bed  seen  in  this  field  none  gave 
favorable  promise,  yet  the  bed  is  so  variable  in  thick- 
ness and  so  uniformly  excellent  in  quality,  apparently, 
that  valuable  pockets  of  this  coal  may  be  expected  yet  to 
be  discovered. 

The  interval  from  the  Haddix  to  the  Hamlin  coal 
below  the  sandstone  immediately  under  the  Haddix  bed 
is  occupied  mainly  by  alternating  shales  and  slialy  sand- 
stones with  a more  massive  sandstone  usually  over  the 
Hamlin  coal.  The  series  is  well  exposed  along  the  right 
forks  of  Combs  branch,  but  is  there  much  weathered  to 
shales.  The  interval  seems  to  be  uniform  at  about  100 
feet. 

The  Hamlin  Coal. 

This  bed  generally  thin  but  useful  for  correlation, 
has  3%  feet  of  coal  on  Hays  branch.  The  many  other 
places  where  the  bed  was  identified  are  given  in  the  fol- 
lowing pages,  but  need  no  mention  here. 

The  interval  from  the  Hamlin  coal  to  the  Fire-clay 
coal  rider  is  mainly  of  sandstone,  often  massive,  showing 
often  in  cliffs  along  Troublesome  creek  75  to  100  feet 
above  it  about  the  mouth  of  Rowdy  creek  and  increasing 
to  175  to  200  feet  about  Hindman. 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


11 


The  Fire-Clay  Coal  Rider. 

This  bed  lias  37  inches  of  coal,  of  which  10  inches 
is  cannel  coal,  on  Barge  creek,  but  two  partings  in 
it  there  destroy  its  present  value.  Though  recog- 
nized frequently  in  the  field,  it  approaches  workable 
thickness  again  only  above  Big  creek,  near  Hindman, 
whence  it  increases  to  a probable  maximum  on  Perkins 
branch,  where  it  has  37  inches  of  coal  with  a six-inch 
parting.  At  a number  of  places  above  Perkins  branch 
it  has  induced  opening,  but  in  none  of  them  has  the  bed 
proved  favorable  for  working.  On  the  head  of  Right 
fork  of  Troublesome  creek  it  has  a few  inches  of  cannel 
coal. 

The  interval  between  the  Rider  and  the  Fire-clay 
coal  is  generally  of  sandstone,  but  sometimes  is  shale. 
It  may  lie  presumed  that  most  of  the  shale,  if  not  all  of 
it,  may  give  place  to  sandstone  underground,  as  fre- 
quently was  found  to  be  the  case  on  Carr’s  fork  and 
elsewhere.  The  excessively  hard  sandstone  found  at 
places  on  Carrs  fork  has  not  been  noted  here. 

The  Fire-Clay  Coal. 

The  Fire-clay  coal  is  about  40  feet  above  the  mouth 
of  Troublesome  creek,  60  feet  above  the  mouth  of  Barge 
branch:  thence  to  the  mouth  of  Clear  creek  it  remains 
at  about  the  same  height  above  Troublesome  creek. 
From  Clear  creek  to  Trace  fork  of  Right  fork  above 
Hindman,  the  height  above  stream  gradually  increases  to 
about  170  feet.  Beyond  that,  though  the  bed  still  rises, 
the  stream  bed  rises  faster  and  the  two  meet  at  the  head 
of  the  fork  above  Mallie  postoffice.  The  bed  also  goes 
below  drainage  near  the  head  of  Right  fork.  On  Balls 
fork  it  goes  under,  probably  near  Laurel  creek,  about 
2 miles  below  Vest. 

The  first  conclusive  evidence  for  correlation  of  the 
bed  was  found  in  an  outcrop  at  the  roadside,  45  feet 
above  the  creek,  one  mile  above  Rowdy  branch,  where  the 
flint  fire-clay,  4 inches  thick,  lies  upon  a foot  of  coal. 
Though  with  this  aid  the  bed  was  identified  in  many 
places,  there  were  no  outcrops  found  on  Troublesome 
creek  waters  (not  including  Lost  creek)  below  Big 


12 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  Biver 


creek,  near  Hindman,  where  the  bed  gave  any  promise 
of  attaining  workable  thickness.  On  Montgomery  branch 
it  begins  to  show  a better  condition  and  on  Big  branch 
has  28  inches  of  coal  on  flint  fire-clay.  A quarter  of  a 
mile  above  Big  branch  is  33  inches  of  coal,  probably  of 
this  bed,  but  frequent  openings  farther  up  the  creek  and 
Bight  fork  to  Perkins  branch  give  only  2 to  2%  feet  of 
coal.  On  Perkins  and  Cave  branches  the  coal  is  3 to  3V2 
feet  thick  and  with  a flint  fire-clay  parting;  between 
Parks  and  Trace  branches,  39  inches  with  one-inch  soft 
clay  parting;  on  Trace  branch,  36  inches  with  four-inch 
flint-clay  parting;  on  Saw-pit  branch,  38  inches  clean 
coal.  A few  openings  farther  up  Bight  fork  gave  but 
2 to  2 y2  feet  of  coal. 

On  the  left  fork  near  its  head  the  bed  has  been 
mined  to  some  extent  with  41  inches  of  coal  which  in 
appearance  is  fully  equal  to  that  mined  at  Hazard,  and, 
lying  at  the  foot  of  the  hill  here,  its  value  is  assured  as 
far  as  the  coal  holds  its  thickness. 

The  interval  between  the  Fire-clay  coal  and  the 
Whitesburg  is  occupied  almost  wholly  by  one  massive 
sandstone,  seen  entire  in  the  cliff  at  the  mouth  of  Combs 
branch,  and  much  of  it  in  view  along  the  creek  from  Noble 
branch  to  Clear  creek. 

The  Whitesburg  Bed.  - 

According  to  the  nomenclature  adopted  here,  the 
Whitesburg  bed  includes  three  or  four  seams  of  coal 
scattered  through  perhaps  50  feet  of'  strata,  the  upper 
seam  being  50  feet  below  the  Fire-clay  coal.  Little  at- 
tempt was  made  to  distinguish  the  several  seams,  but  be- 
sides the  thick  sandstone  over  the  upper  one,  it  is  apt 
to  have  a foot  or  more  of  black  slate  roof,  with  occasion- 
ally black  slate  found  upon  another  seam  also.  In  general 
the  bed  is  not  thick  enough  to  work,  though  two  seams, 
at  least,  have  as  much  as  three  feet  of  coal  in  places,  but 
not  of  the  best  quality.  Entries  along  Troublesome  creek 
most  conveniently  situated  for  local  use  are  all  aban- 
doned in  favor  of  the  better  and  thicker  coals  found  high 
on  the  hills.  The  coal  in  these  entries  is  about  3 feet 
thick  usually,  but  varies  from  2%  to  3%  feet.  Toward 
the  head  of  Bight  fork,  where  the  Hazard  bed  overtops 


North  Fork  or  Kentucky  River 


13 


the  hills,  the  low  coals  are  more  in  demand,  hence  the  fre- 
quency of  openings  in  them.  On  Buckhorn  creek  and 
Balls  fork  no  entries  into  the  bed  have  been  made. 

The  intervals  between  the  seams  of  coal  are  mostly 
of  sandstone,  the  quarries  about  Hindman  being  between 
the  second  and  third,  probably. 

Below  the  Wliitesburg  coals  is  an  alternation  of  lam- 
inated and  slialy  sandstone,  showing  much  shale  along 
the  road  above  Hindman  on  Bight  fork,  and  then  massive 
sandstone  again  down  to  the  Amburgy  bed. 

The  Amburgy  bed  is  above  drainage  only  on  Bight 
fork,  above  Hindman,  and  there  only  for  about  3 miles 
close  to  stream  level.  The  coal  at  the  only  place  where 
it  was  seen  is  35  inches  thick. 

The  following  detailed  description  of  coal  openings 
and  outcrops  and  pertinent  matter  is  designed  to  give 
as  full  information  of  the  field  as  present  development 
and  the  means  employed  permit.  They  suffice  to  show 
not  only  a large  and  valuable  coal  field,  but,  in  conjunc- 
tion with  the  topographical  maps,  what  parts  of  the  field 
are  most  desirable  for  early  development,  with  this  res- 
ervation, that  where  inhabitants  are  few  the  coal  beds  are 
least  developed. 

in  giving  details  measurement  in  inches  are  exact 
unless  otherwise  stated;  those  given  in  feet  are  approxi- 
mate only.  Distances  given  in  yards  are  by  estimation, 
given  in  miles  they  are  so  obtained  from  maps  or  by 
report  or  estimation.  Owing  to  the  longer  distances  up 
the  main  streams  in  their  mapped  meanders  than  by  the 
road  the  distances  as  given  from  their  mouths  for  up 
stream  are  greater  than  those  usually  stated  as  by  the 
roads,  but  for  points  not  far  apart  there  should  be  agree- 
ment. 

This  investigation  was  made  with  the  assistance  of 
Mr.  Charles  E.  Straub,  of  the  Survey,  and  the  more  im- 
portant openings  of  his  measurement  are  designated  by 
the  letter  S;  the  correlations  are  wholly  by  the  writer. 


TROUBLESOME  CREEK 


The  Haddix  coal,  formerly  worked  in  the  Hargis 
mine,  opposite  the  mouth  of  Troublesome  creek,  has  there 
a thickness  of  about  4 feet,  of  which  the  lower  3 feet  is 
cannel  coal,  as  measured  on  its  early  developments.  It 
lies  at  altitude  975  and  is  240  feet  above  the  river  there. 

The  Flag  coal  was  found  with  39  inches  of  coal  and 
partings  of  2 and  4 inches,  at  altitude  1,135. 

The  Fire-clay  coal  should  lie  at  or  slightly  above  the 
level  of  the  railroad,  or  about  at  altitude  775,  and  the 
Hazard  coal  at  altitude  1,075. 

On  the  right  of  a left  hollow,  1%  miles  up  Trouble- 
some creek,  a long  entry  gives  the  following  bed  section, 
3 yards  in : 

Flag  Coal. 

Sandstone  4 ft. 

Shale  1 y2  ft. 

Coal  23" 

Shale  5"  . 

Coal  18" 

Altitude,  1115. 

Altitude  of  river,  735. 

In  the  middle  of  the  upper  seam  of  coal  is  6 inches 
of  poor  coal,  heavy  in  ash.  The  lower  seam  is  a hard 
block,  with  vertical  seams  containing  clay  like  cannel 
coal.  Coal  in  the  dump  exhales  in  the  hot  sun  a strong 
odor  of  sulphur,  but  none  was  visible  in  the  coal  seam. 
With  only  about  100  feet  of  covering  here  the  area  of  the 
bed  is  small.  Benches  at  altitudes  980  and  860  indicate 
approximately  the  location  of  the  Haddix  and  Hamlin 
beds.  Another  midway  between  them  has  probably  no 
significance. 

At  the  mouth  of  Lost  creek,  altitude  735,  are  20 
feet  of  dark  shales  containing  large  lime  concretions. 
The  shales  are  prominent  for  several  miles  up  Lost  creek 
and  lie  between  the  Whitesburg  and  Fire-clay  coals. 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


15 


On  a left  branch  of  Lost  creek,  at  its  mouth,  on 
the  right,  one-fourth  mile  up  the  branch,  Walter  Strong 
has  an  eight-yard  entry  giving  the  following  bed  section 
at  its  face : 


Flag  Coal. 

Shale. 


Coal  12" 

Clay  2" 

Coal  7" 

Shale  4" 

Coal  23" 


Altitude,  1135. 

Comparison  of  this  with  the  preceding  section  shows 
similarity  by  exclusion  of  the  two-inch  clay  parting. 

HAYES  BRANCH. 

On  the  left,  2L>  miles  up  Troublesome  creek.  Alti- 
tude of  mouth,  735. 

At  the  mouth  of  a right  branch,  three-fourths  mile 
up,  is  12  inches  of  coal  under  2 feet  of  shale  and  20  feet 
of  laminated  sandstone.  This  appears  to  be  of  the  Fire- 
clay coal  bed,  at  altitude  830. 

A thin  coal  stain  in  the  road  one  mile  up  then  rep- 
resents the  rider,  at  altitude  865. 

On  the  left,  one  mile  up,  Judge  Taulbee  has  an  open- 
ing into  the  Hamlin  bed  with  43  inches  of  coal  under  10 
feet  of  shale.  Sandstone  is  exposed  under  the  thin  clay 
floor.  The  altitude  of  the  bed  is  945. 


HALF-WAY  BRANCH. 

On  the  left,  3%  miles  up.  Altitude  of  mouth,  740. 

On  top  of  the  cliff  sandstone  near  the  mouth  of  this 
branch,  at  altitude  835,  is  a thin  coal,  probably  the  Fire- 
clay coal,  another  thin  seam,  the  rider,  showing  at  alti- 
tude 850,  with  15  feet  of  shalv  sandstone  between  them. 

A broad  bench,  one-half  mile  up  the  branch,  at  alti- 
tude 1,010*  is  30  feet,  more  or  less,  below  the  Hazard 
coal,  as  frequently  is  the  case  on  Troublesome  creek. 

On  the  left,  five-eighths  mile  up  the  branch,  the  Davis 
entry  gives  the  following  section: 


16  North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 

Flag  Coal. 


Sandstone  20  ft. 

Coal  . 1" 

Shale  2" 

Coal  19" 

Clay  22" 

Coal  15" 

Shale  11" 

Coal  20" 


Altitude,  1110. 

The  lowest  seam  of  coal,  as  usual  with  this  bed  on 
Troublesome  creek,  is  a block  coal  on  a few  inches  of 
soft  coal  (4  inches  here)  at  the  bottom. 

On  the  right,  6 miles  up  the  creek,  I.  B.  Combs  has 
an  entry  with  the  following  bed  section : 


Haddix  Coal. 


Sandstone  5 ft. 

Coal  26" 

Clay  2" 

Coal  2" 

Clay  3" 

Coal  13" 


Altitude,  1015. 

RILEY  BRANCH. 

On  the  left,  6 miles  up  Troublesome  creek.  Altitude 
of  mouth,  745. 

On  the  right,  l1/^  miles  up,  at  Clay  Hole  postoffice,  is 
the  following,  probably  of  the  Fire-clay  coal  bed: 

Shale  

Coal  

Shale  

Coal  

Altitude,  865 


2 ft. 
19" 

3" 


The  partly  covered  prospect  showed  a foot  of  coal 
in  the  bottom  seam,  with  perhaps  6 inches  more  not  seen. 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


17 


At  the  branch,  lVV  miles  up,  is  the  following  section: 


Shale  8 ft. 

Black  slate  1 ft. 

Coal  12" 

Clay  12" 

Coal  6" 

Shale  8 ft. 


Coal  in  branch. 

Altitude,  830. 

This  is  probably  again  of  the  Fire-clay  coal. 
At  the  branch,  1%  miles  up,  is  the  following: 


Sandstone  6 ft. 

Coal  12" 

Clay  6" 

Sandstone  2 ft. 


Altitude,  865. 

A thin  coal  stain  shows  also  15  feet  above  the  foot 
of  coal,  which  probably  represents  the  Fire-clay  coal 
rider. 

On  the  right,  21/4  miles  up,  at  the  mouth  of  a three- 
yard  entry,  is  the  following: 

Flag  Coal. 


Sandstone  5 ft. 

Shale  4 ft. 

Coal  23" 

Clay  4" 

Coal  15" 

Shale  15" 

Cannel  coal  13" 


Altitude,  1105. 

The  lower  parting  contains  a little  coal  and  the  bot- 
tom 4 inches  of  the  cannel  was  not  seen. 

BARGE  CREEK. 

On  the  right  6 Vo  miles  up  Troublesome  creek.  Alti- 
tude of  mouth,  745. 

On  a left  branch  one-fourth  mile  up  the  creek,  in  a 


18 


North  Fork  or  Kentucky  River 


right  drain  at  its  head,  a closed  prospect  gives  evidence 
of  a coal  bed  about  6 feet  thick  with  cannel  coal  at  the 
bottom.  It  is  covered  by  8 feet  of  shale  and  35  feet  above 
it  is  a sixty-foot  tower  cliff.  It  is  of  the  Flag  bed  at 
altitude  1,145  (S.) 


RIGHT  FORK. 

One-lialf  mile  up  Barge  creek.  On  the  left  one- 
eighth  mile  up  the  fork,  10  feet  above  it,  a ten-yard  entry 
gives  the  following,  the  two  coal  seams  being  meas- 
ured at  the  face : 


Whitesburg  Coal. 


Shale  

Coal  

Shale  

Coal  

Shale  

Coal  

Clay. 

Altitude,  790. 


1 % ft. 
4" 

3" 

23" 

5" 

1" 


On  the  left  of  the  fork,  one-lialf  mile  up  it,  Mr. 
Straub  obtained  the  following: 

Fire-clay  Coal  Rider. 


Shale  10  ft. 

Sandstone  7" 

Shale  3" 

Coal  19" 

Clay  2" 

Coal  8" 

Shale  9" 

Cannel  coal  10" 


Altitude,  880  (S.) 

On  the  right,  7 to  71/4  miles  up  Troublesome  creek, 
are  the  George  Coleman  entries,  now  closed,  of  which 
the  first  one  opened  gave  30  inches  of  coal  with  three 
partings  amounting  to  8 inches,  and  a roof  of  bituminous 
shale.  The  bed  is  the  Whitesburg,  at  altitude  790. 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


19 


LEWIS  BRANCH. 

On  the  left,  7%  miles  up  Troublesome  creek.  Alti- 
tude of  mouth,  750. 

Ten  inches  of  coal,  under  4 feet  of  shale,  one-fourth 
mile  up  the  branch,  probably  represents  a part  only  of 
the  Fire-clay  coal  at  altitude  800. 

At  a rock  house  on  the  right,  three-eighths  mile  up, 
is  the  following: 

Hazard  Coal. 

Massive  sandstone  ..40  ft. 


Shaly  sandstone  4 ft. 

Coal  6" 

Shale  3" 

Coal  10" 

Shale  2" 

Coal  4" 

Clay  2 ft. 


Laminated  sandstone. 

Altitude,  1040. 

A foot  of  coal  under  massive  sandstone  at  a spring 
five-eighths  mile  up  the  branch  is  of  the  Hamlin  bed  at 
altitude  975. 

On  the  right  at  the  head  of  the  branch,  three-fourths 
mile  up,  J.  M.  Allen  has  a ten-yard  entry  with  the  fol- 
lowing bed  section  at  its  face : 


Flag  Coal. 


Sandstone  

...20 

ft. 

Shale  

- 1 % 

ft. 

Coal  

...13" 

Shale  

...  1" 

Coal  

...  6" 

Shale  

...  4" 

Coal  

...16" 

Shale  

...14" 

Coal  

Altitude,  1110  (S.) 

...15" 

20 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


RUSSELL  BRANCH. 

On  the  left,  8 miles  up  Troublesome  creek.  Alti- 
tude of  mouth,  755. 

On  the  right  at  the  mouth  of  the  branch  is  an  aban- 
doned entry  with  2 Vo  feet  of  clean  coal,  evidently  the 
main  seam  of  the  Whitesburg  bed,  at  altitude  790. 

Thirty  feet  under  this  is  10  inches  more  coal  with 
two  partings,  each  2 inches  thick,  a split,  probably,  from 
the  main  seam. 

On  the  left  of  a right  branch,  one-fourth  mile  up 
Russell  branch,  one-eighth  mile  up  the  right  branch,  is 
the  following: 


Whitesburg  Coal. 


Sandstone  .25  ft. 

Black  slate  4 ft. 

Thin  coal. 

Shale  5 ft. 

Sandstone  10  ft. 


Altitude,  795. 


This  seems  to  be  of  the  main  seam  of'  the  Wliites- 
burg  bed  and  indicates  the  cause  of  the  abandonment  of 
the  entry  at  the  mouth  of  Russell  branch. 

On  the  right  of  the  same  right  branch,  one-fourtli 
mile  up  and  in  it,  is  9 inches  of  coal,  at  altitude  835, 
under  40  feet  of  shale  and  shaly  sandstone  containing 
thin  coals.  These  coals  probably  are  of  the  Fire-clay 
coal  bed  and  its  rider. 

On  the  left  of  the  same  branch,  one-lialf  mile  up  it, 
the  Fire-clay  coal  or  its  rider,  under  5 feet  of  shale  has 
17  inches  of  coal  with  15  inches  of  sandstone  and  shale 
parting,  at  altitude  860. 

Again  on  the  left,  tliree-fourths  mile  up  the  branch, 
a prospect  gives  the  following: 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


21 


Haddix  Coal. 


Shale. 

Coal  16" 

Shale  (with  coal)  13" 

Cannel  coal 9" 

Coal  8" 

Shale  (thin). 

Coal  3" 


Altitude,  1090.  (SO 

On  the  right,  three-fourths  mile  up,  at  the  face  of 
a six-yard  entry,  the  Hamlin  bed  gives  20  inches  of  coal 
under  3 feet  of  laminated  sandstone  at  altitude  945. 
Fifteen  feet  below  is  12  inches  of  coal  under  3 feet  of 
sandstone  and  a foot  above  sandstone. 

ANDY  BRANCH. 

On  the  left,  seven-eighths  mile  up  Russell  branch. 
Altitude  of  mouth,  825. 

In  this  branch,  one-lialf  mile  up  it,  is  7 inches  of 
coal  under  V/2  feet  of  shale  at  altitude  890,  apparently 
of  the  same  seam  as  that  last  given. 

On  a left  branch,  one-lialf  mile  up,  on  its  left  fork, 
one-fourtli  mile  up  it,  and  on  the  left  of  the  fork,  one- 
eiglith  mile  up  the  latter,  the  Goff  heirs  have  a prospect 
showing  the  following: 


Flag  Coal. 


Sandstone  3 ft. 

Coal  ....16" 

Clay  V' 

Coal  9" 

Shale  4" 

Coal  14" 

Shale  12" 

Cannel  coal 11" 


Altitude,  1135. 


22 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


On  a right  branch,  Its  miles  up  Russell  branch,  on 
the  right  of  a right  drain  one-fourth  mile  up  the  branch, 
the  Goff  heirs  have,  at  the  face  of  a two-yard  entry: 


Flag  Coal. 

Sandstone  3 ft. 

Coal  17" 

Bituminous  shale  ....  7" 

Coal  12" 

Shale  18" 

Cannel  coal  (?) 

Altitude,  1140. 


The  upper  seam  of  coal  has  2 inches  of  bone  12 
inches  from  the  top.  The  bottom  of  the  bed  was  not 
found. 

The  following  sections,  taken  on  an  early  explora- 
tion as  of  the  Flag  coal,  from  an  opening  on  A.  C.  Rus- 
selFs  land  and  both  probably  from  the  left  fork  of  Russell 
branch,  are  given  following.  Developments  since  that 
time  enable  a correction  of  the  correlation  then  assumed : 

Flag  Coal.  Hindman  Coal. 


Slate  

2" 

Coal  

16' 

Coal  

20" 

Shale  

1' 

Shale  

4" 

Coal  

34' 

Coal  

16" 

Sandstone  

1 

Shale  

9" 

Coal  

12 

Coal  

6" 

Altitude,  1275. 

Shale  

3" 

Coal  

16" 

Altitude,  1115. 

Analyses  by  Dr.  R.  Peter  of  my  samples  from  these 
outcrop  openings  follow,  but  as  each  sample  showed 
weathering  and  must  have  included  extraneous  matter, 
they,  and  especially  No.  2531,  should  not  be  regarded  as 
accurately  representing  the  quality  of  the  coals. 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


23 


Analyses. 


Flag. 

Hindman. 

Chemical  report  No 

2,530 

2,531 

Moisture  

3.80 

4.20 

Volatile  combustible  matter  ... 

35.60 

32.40 

Fixed  carbon 

54.80 

52.26 

Ash  

5.80 

11.14 

100.00 

100.00 

Sulphur  

0.875 

0.848 

Specific  gravity  

1.345 

1.426 

Coke  (dense)  

60.60 

63.40 

Color  of  ash  

Salmon 

Very  light 

No.  2530 — “Iii  rather  thin,  irregular  laminae,  with 
ferruginous  stains  on  some  exterior  surfaces.’’ 

N o.  2531 — ■ < Seems  to  he  splint  coal.  ’ ’ 

RIGHT  FORK. 

On  the  right,  1%  miles  up  Russell  branch. 

On  the  right,  one-fourth  mile  up  the  fork,  a one-yard 
entry  gives  the  following  bed  section : 

Flag  Coal. 

Sandy  shale  

Coal  

Shale  

Block  coal  

Bottom  not  found 
Altitude,  1145. 

An  inch  of  bone  coal  is  in  the  upper  seam  9 inches 
from  the  toji.  Probably  the  floor  is  a parting  with  more 
coal  underneath. 

At  the  former  James  Rhollev  house  and  spring, 
one-half  mile  up  this  fork,  the  Haddix  coal  varies  m 
thickness  in  a distance  of  100  yards  from  1 inch  to  22 
inches.  Its  altitude  is  1,035.  Though  some  prospecting 
in  recent  years  has  been  attempted  on  the  Flag  bed,  this 
attractive  fine  bright  splint  coal  seems  to  have  been 
neglected. 

On  the  right,  three-fourths  mile  up  the  fork,  Elisha 
Miller  has  a twenty-yard  entry  into  what  is  probably  an 


5 ft. 
16" 

3" 

.13" 


24 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


upper  split  of  the  Hindman  bed  with  the  following  bed 
section  at  the  face  of  the  entry: 


Shale  

15  ft. 

Coal  

32" 

Shale  

3" 

Coal  

24" 

Altitude,  1320. 

Although  nearly  600  feet  above  Troublesome  creek 
this  bed  gives  a moderate  workable  area  in  Flint  ridge, 
the  top  of  the  ridge  at  the  head  of  Russell  branch  being 
180  feet  higher. 

A flint  bed  30  feet  thick  lies  at  altitude  1,450  and 
extends  for  several  miles  along  the  ridge.  The  hills  are 
not  high  enough  to  catch  this  flint  elsewhere  in  Eastern 
Kentucky  excepting  on  the  Black  mountains;  in  them  it 
appears  to  be  absent. 


MILLER  ’S  BRANCH. 

On  the  left,  8%  miles  up  Troublesome  creek.  Alti- 
tude of  mouth,  755. 

On  the  left  at  the  mouth  of  this  branch  the  following 
section  is  exposed : 

Whitesburg  Bed. 


Sandstone  20  ft. 

Black  slate  3 ft. 

Coal  4" 

Shale  2" 

Coal  . 6" 

Coal  and  clay 6" 

Covered  2 ft. 

Sandstone  15  ft. 

Altitude,  785. 


On  the  right,  one-eighth  mile  up,  11  inches  of  coal 
shows,  with  2 inches  parting,  at  altitude  785. 

On  a left  branch,  three-eighths  mile  up,  on  the  left 
one-fourth  mile  up  the  branch,  John  E.  Miller  has  a 
twelve-yard  entry,  which  gives  the  following  bed  section 
at  its  face: 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


25 


Flag  Coal. 


Shaly  sandstone. 

Coal  17" 

Shale  1" 

Coal  4" 

Shale  5" 

Coal  16" 

Bituminous  shale  13" 

Black  slate  8" 

Block  coal  13" 

Altitude,  1110. 


A fifteen-foot  cliff  shows  30  feet  above  the  entry 
and  a forty-foot  cliff  70  feet  above  it,  A broad  bench 
at  altitude  945  indicates  the  level  of  the  Young  coal. 

In  Miller’s  branch  under  a small  waterfall,  three- 
fourths  mile  up,  is  4 inches  of  coal  under  a foot  of  black 
slate  and  then  2 feet  of  shaly  sandstone  at  altitude  860. 
This  appears  to  be  the  level  of  the  rider  to  the  Fire-clay 
coal,  but  the  black  slate  grades  from  common  at  the  top 
down  to  black  jack — almost  a heavy  coal— with  littie 
cleavage  at  the  bottom,  and  it  is  probable  that  this  is  a 
variation  of  the  flint-clay  parting  of  the  latter  bed.  The 
following  coal  also  leads  to  such  conclusion. 

On  the  right  at  the  mouth  of  Bear  branch,  1 mile 
up,  is  the  following,  the  coal  at  stream  level: 


Rider  Coal. 


Shale  

Coal  

Shale  

Coal  

Shale  

Coal  

Altitude,  890. 


.30  ft. 
. 7" 

. 2" 

. 3" 
.17" 

. 9" 


26 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  Kiver 


The  covering  shale  of  this  coal  probably  continues 
to  the  next  coal  above,  some  60  feet  higher.  The  coal  is 
found  in  the  branch,  1%  miles  up,  with  the  following 
section : 


Yellow  shale  30  ft. 

Covered  20  ft. 

Black  slate  in  square  blocks  1 ft. 

Dark  shale 2 ft. 

Coal  (altitude,  950)  2" 

Black  slate  2" 

Dark  shale  20  ft. 


On  the  left,  1%  miles  up  the  branch,  the  Haddix  bed 
shows  27  inches  thick,  partly  splint  coal,  at  altitude 
1,000.  Over  it  is  10  feet  of  sandstone  and  3 feet  under  it 
is  3 feet  of  sandstone,  below  which  begins  the  shale  ser- 
ies just  noted.  This  shows  a remarkable  diminution  of 
thickness  of  sandstone  under  the  Haddix  bed,  where  it 
is  generally  conspicuous,  and  may  account  for  an  appar- 
ent interval  down  to  the  Fire-clay  coal  of  about  150  feet 
instead  of  200. 

On  the  right,  at  the  branch,  2 miles  up  it,  at  altitude 
990,  and  again  2%  miles  up,  at  altitude  1,010,  are  ex- 
posures from  which  the  following  is  derived,  indicating 


a split  of  the  Haddix  bed : 

Hard  sandstone  5 ft. 

Coal  13" 

Shale  1 ft. 

Covered  (estimated)  1 ft. 

Shale  3 ft. 

Sandstone  2 ft. 

Shaly  sandstone  8 ft. 

Coal  .. 8" 

Black  slate  8" 

Shale  7" 

Coal  6" 


In  the  branch,  2V2  miles  up,  is  10  inches  of  coal  under 
1 0 feet  of  shale  and  then  10  feet  of  sandstone,  apparently 
of  the  Young  bed,  at  altitude  1,060. 

In  a right  branch,  2%  miles  up,  on  the  left,  one- 
eighth  mile  up  the  right  branch,  A.  Raleigh  has  a ten- 
yard  entry  with  the  following  section  at  its  face : 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


27 


Flag  Coal. 


Sandstone. 

Shale  3" 

Coal  12" 

Clay  1" 

Coal  8" 

Shale  3" 

Coal  16" 

Bituminous  shale  18" 

Block  coal 12" 

Altitude,  1100. 


On  the  right,  8%  miles  up  Troublesome  creek,  Rob- 
ert Fugate  has  a six-yard  entry,  with  bed  section,  meas- 
ured at  its  mouth,  as  follows : 

Flag  Coal. 

Sandstone  

Coal  

Shale  

Coal  

Bituminous  shale 
Coal  (not  seen) 

Altitude,  1085. 

On  the  left,  9V2  miles  up,  J.  B.  Noble  has  a twelve- 
yard  entry,  with  the  following  bed  section  at  its  face : 


Flag  Coal. 


Sandstone  

...30 

ft. 

Shale  

- 1 % 

ft. 

Coal  

...18" 

Shale  

...  1" 

Coal  

...  3" 

Shale  

...  5" 

Coal  

...13" 

Shale  

...14" 

Coal  

Altitude,  1150.  (S.) 

...12" 

2 ft. 
.11" 

. 6" 
11" 
13" 
18" 


Coal  showing  at  old  prospects  under  this  entry  at 
altitudes  805  and  905,  presumably  of  the  Fire-clay  coal 
and  of  the  Hamlin  bed,  indicate  that  altitude  obtained  of 


28 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


the  entry  is  40  to  50  feet  too  high,  and  so  actually  con- 
forms with  others  obtained  of  the  bed  in  this  region. 

On  the  left,  9%  miles  up  the  creek,  an  opening  gives 
the  following  section : 


Hamlin  Coal. 


Shaly  sandstone  8 ft. 

Shale  1 y2  ft. 

Coal  18" 

Clay  1" 

Coal  2" 


Altitude,  945.  (S.) 

CANEY  CREEK. 

On  the  right,  9%  miles  up  Troublesome  creek.  Alti- 
tude of  mouth,  760. 

On  the  right  of  a right  branch,  five-eighths  mile  up 
Caney  Creek,  one-fourth  mile  up  the  branch,  is  the  fol- 
lowing: 


Flag  Coal. 


Shale  4 ft. 

Coal  9" 

Shale  1" 

Coal  6" 

Shale  and  coal  5" 

Coal  10" 

Shale  6" 

Coal  14" 

Shale  11" 

Coal  18" 


Altitude,  1255?  (S.) 

This  bed  section  corresponds  so  closely  with  others 
of  the  Flag  bed  in  this  vicinity  that  the  correlation  can 
hardly  be  questioned,  but  a rise  of  the  bed  to  such  height 
is  improbable.  A barometer  error  of  about  100  feet  is 
likely.  The  bed  may  be  the  Francis,  however,  which  has 
a similar  section  on  Balls  fork  above  Vest. 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


29 


RIGHT  FORK. 

On  the  right,  three-fourths  mile  up  Caney  creek. 

On  the  right,  one-eightli  mile  up  this  fork,  the  Fire- 
clay coal  (or  its  rider)  has  12  inches  of  coal,  the  lower 
half  cannel  coal,  separated  from  the  upper  by  a thin 
clay  seam.  It  is  under  10  feet  of  sandstone  and  at  al- 
titude 870  (S).  Below  this  is  7 inches  of  coal,  under  4 
feet  of  shale  and  10  feet  of  sandstone  at  altitude  835. 

On  the  left,  one-lialf  mile  up  Right  fork,  is  the  fol- 
lowing section  of  the  Fire-clay  coal  (or  its  rider)  : 

Fire-clay  Coal  (Rider). 


Shale. 

Coal  and  shale  8" 

Shale  (about)  12" 

Coal  : 10" 

Thin  shale. 

Cannel  coal  5" 

Shale  3" 

Coal  8" 


Altitude,  865.  (S.) 

The  right  fork  forks  one-lialf  mile  up  and  at  altitude 

920. 

Thence,  one-half  mile  up  the  left  fork  and  on  the 
left  is  28  inches  of  coal  under  10  feet  of  shale  of  the 
Haddix  bed  at  altitude  1,060  (S.) 

On  the  right,  10%  miles  up  Troublesome  creek,  Wil- 
liam Ellis  has  an  eight-yard  entry  with  the  folio  wing- 
section  at  its  mouth : 


Flag  Coal. 


Shale  3 ft. 

Coal  24" 

Shale  3" 

Coal  16" 

Shale  13" 

Coal  (about)  11" 


Altitude,  1110. 


30 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


On  the  left,  11  miles  up  the  creek,  the  Whitesbnrg 
bed  shows  4 inches  of  coal  (with  possibly  more  under  a 
four-inch  shale  parting)  under  1%  feet  of  shale  and  10 
feet  of  sandstone.  Its  altitude  is  795. 

In  a left  drain,  11%  miles  up  the  creek,  what  ap- 
pears to  be  the  Fire-clay  coal  is  10  inches  thick,  not 
including  a parting  of  4 inches.  It  lies  under  8 feet  of 
shale  at  altitude  845. 

On  the  right  of  the  drain,  one-fourth  mile  up  it, 
Taulbert  Campbell  has  a fifteen-yard  entry  with  bed  sec- 
tion at  its  face  as  follows : 


Flag  Coal. 

Shaly  sandstone  1 ft. 

Coal  11" 

Shale  . 1" 

Coal  10" 

Shale  5" 

Coal  ....14" 

Bituminous  shale  12" 

Cannel  coal  11" 

Coal  7" 

Altitude,  1120. 


Near  the  mouth  of  Fugate  fork,  Mr.  Moore  formerly 
examined  on  the  Roberts  farm  an  opening  into  the  Flag 
bed,  with  section  as  follows : 


Flag  Coal. 


Coal  22" 

Shale  3" 

Coal  17" 

Shale  10" 

Cannel  coal  22" 


Mr.  Moore’s  samples  of  the  three  seams  of  the  bed, 
analyzed  by  Dr.  R.  Peter  for  the  Survey,  gave  the  fol- 
lowing results:  It  is  inferred  that  the  top  seam,  with 
its  high  ash,  was  sampled  from  a very  muddy  outcrop. 
None  of  the  coal  could  have  been  taken  from  far  under- 
ground. The  bottom  seam  shows  remarkably  well, 
though,  according  to  Dr.  Peter,  not  all  cannel  coal. 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


31 


Top. 

Middle. 

Bottom 

Cannel. 

Chemical  Report  No. 

1702 

1704 

1703 

Moisture  

3.30 

2.20 

3.40 

Volatile  combustible 

matter..  31.44 

39.20 

43.40 

Fixed  carbon  

49.76 

51.14 

46.96 

Ash  

15.50 

7.46 

6.24 

100.00 

100.00 

100.00 

Sulphur  

0.991 

2.525 

0.630 

Specific  gravity  

1.405 

1.290 

1.280 

Coke 

) ... 

65.26 

58.60 

53.20 

1 

Dense  friable 

Spongy 

Friable 

Color  of  ash  

Pinkish  gray 

Lilac  gray 

Buff  gray 

No.  1702 — “A  splint  coal  splitting  into  very  thin 
laminae,  with  fibrous  coal  between,  but  with  no  appear- 
ance of  pyrites.  The  sample  has  a weathered  and  tar- 
nished appearance,  showing  ferruginous  and  earthy 
stains.  ’ ’ 

No.  1704 — “Rather  a dull-looking  coal,  apparently 
pretty  pure,  having  but  little  apparent  fibrous  coal  or 
pyrites  between  its  laminae.  Exterior  of  some  of  the 
lumps  covered  with  ferruginous  incrustations.  ” 

No.  1703 — “Called  cannel.  A pure-looking  coal  with 
but  little  fibrous  coal  and  no  apparent  pyrites.  Sample 
somewhat  mixed  in  character.  Some  pieces  of  cannel 
coal;  others  splint  coal;  others  apparently  shaly. ” 

FUGATE  FORK. 

On  the  left,  11%  miles  up  Troublesome  creek.  Alti- 
tude of  mouth,  765. 

On  the  right,  at  the  fork,  one-fourth  mile  up  it,  the 
Whitesburg  bed  shows  thin  under  2 feet  of  black  slate 
and  20  feet  of  sandstone  at  altitude  780. 

On  the  right,  three-eighths  mile  up,  a prospect  gives 
24  inches  of  coal  under  10  feet  of  sandstone  and  directly 
on  bituminous  sandstone.  The  lower  4 inches  of  the  bed 
is  a tough  bone  coal.  At  altitude  990  this  is  probably  of 
the  Haddix  bed. 

On  a left  branch,  one-fourth  mile  up,  on  the  left  one- 
fourth  mile  up  the  branch,  Isaac  Miller  has  a twelve- 
yard  entry  with  the  following  section  at  its  mouth : 


32 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


Flag  Coal. 


Shale  8 ft. 

Coal  11" 

Shale  1" 

Coal  8" 

Shale  5" 

Coal  .....13" 

Shale  13" 

Cannel  coal  15" 


Altitude,  1125. 

At  altitude  1,145,  or  about  10  feet  above  the  shale 
exposed  at  the  opening,  is  a twenty-five-foot  cliff.  At 
altitude  1,225  an  uprooted  tree  shows  a portion  of  the 
Francis  coal  and  on  top  of  the  spur  at  this  level  is  a 
slight  outcrop  of  iron  ore. 

On  a left  branch,  three-eighths  mile  up,  on  the  left 
one-fourth  mile  up  the  branch,  Henry  Hudson  has  a 
seven-yard  entry  with  section  following,  the  fourteen- 
inch  seam  and  those  below  measured  at  its  face,  higher 
strata  not  having  been  mined : 

Flag  Coal. 


Shale. 

Coal  12" 

Shale  1" 

Coal  7" 

Shale  4" 

Coal  14" 

Shale  , 12" 

Black  slate  2" 

Cannel  coal  ...12" 

Coal  (about)  3" 


Altitude,  1120. 

On  the  left,  three-fourths  mile  up  the  fork,  is  5 inches 
of  coal  under  black  shale,  at  altitude  815,  slightly  under 
the  level  of  the  Fire-clay  coal. 

On  the  left,  1%  miles  up,  is  11  inches  of  coal  under 
8 feet  of  laminated  sandstone,  at  altitude  845,  the  Fire- 
clay coal  or  its  rider.  The  bench  of  the  Hamlin  coal 
is  distinct  at  altitude  935. 

Above  this  outcrop  Jackson  Miller  has  a six-yard 
entry  with  coal  at  the  face  still  soft  from  weathering, 
but  giving  the  following  section  clearly: 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


33 


Flag  Coal. 

Sandstone  5 ft. 

Coal  11" 

Clay  1" 

Coal  8" 

Bituminous  shale  5" 

Coal  16" 

Shale  12" 

Black  slate  2" 

Cannel  coal  11" 

Coal  3" 

Altitude,  1160. 


The  base  of  a ten-foot  cliff  over  the  entry  is  at  alti- 
tude about  1,190. 

Across  Fugate  fork  from  this  entry  is  an  abandoned 
one  at  altitude  1,140,  reported  of  about  the  same  section. 
Its  altitude  is  probably  about  correct  for  the  preceding 
entry. 

On  the  right,  1 y2  miles  up,  is  a thin  coal  at  the  fork, 
probably  the  rider,  at  altitude  875.  Exposed  above  this 
coal  are  30  feet  of  shale  and  about  an  equal  amount  crops 
out  from  under  it  along  the  fork  farther  down. 

LAUREL  FORK. 

On  the  right,  1%  miles  up  Fugate  fork.  Altitude  of 
mouth,  905. 

On  the  right,  one-fourtli  mile  up  this  fork,  Thomas 
Ellis  has  a six-yard  entry  with  the  following  bed  section 
at  its  mouth : 


Flag  Coal. 

Shaly  sandstone  30  ft. 

Coal  .12" 

Shale  2" 

Coal  7" 

Bituminous  shale  4" 

Coal  .17" 

Bituminous  shale  12" 

Coal  3" 

Cannel  coal  9" 

Coal  8" 

Altitude,  1145. 


K.  R.— 2. 


34 


North  Fork  op  Kentucky  River 


The  exposure  over  the  coal  is  not  natural,  but  was 
made  to  keep  the  mouth  of  the  entry  clear. 

On  the  right,  y2  mile  up,  at  a spring  near  stream 
level  is  16  inches  of  coal  under  4 feet  of  massive  sand- 
stone, at  altitude,  1,005.  It  appears  likely  that  this  is  of 
the  Haddix  bed,  with  increased  interval  to  the  Flag  bed, 
as  given  in  the  next  section,  or  the  apparent  increase 
may  be  due  to  a roll  of  strata  or  to  the  inaccuracy  of 
barometric  measurement. 

On  the  right,  three-fourths  mile  up,  Isaac  Miller  has 
a five-yard  entry  with  the  following  bed  section  half  way 
in  it: 


Flag  Coal. 

Shaly  sandstone  3 ft. 

Coal  12" 

Shale  , 2" 

Coal  7" 

Bituminous  shale  7" 

Coal  17" 

Bituminous  shale  10"  - 

Coal  7" 

Black  slate  5" 

Coal  10" 

Altitude,  1155. 


LEFT  FORK. 

On  the  left,  1%  miles  up  Fugate  fork.  Altitude  of 
mouth,  905. 

In  the  fork,  one-eighth  mile  up  it,  a thin  coal  under 
3 feet  of  black  slate,  at  altitude  915,  is  probably  of  the 
Hamlin  bed. 

On  the  right,  five-eighths  mile  up,  Isaac  Miller  has 
a six-yard  entry,  giving  2 yards  in,  the  following  bed 
section : 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  Kiver 


35 


Flag  Coal. 

Sandstone  15  ft. 

Coal  11" 

Shale  1" 

Coal  7" 

Bituminous  shale  4" 

Coal  13" 

Bone  coal  2" 

Black  shale  & slate. .18" 

Cannel  coal  12" 

Altitude,  1135. 


The  18  inches  of  upper  coal  is  rich  in  bitumen,  un- 
like much  of  the  top  coal  of  this  bed ; the  middle  13  inches 
is  reported  especially  good;  the  bottom  of  the  cannel 
coal  was  not  seen  and  the  12  inches  measured  may  include 
a few  inches  of  bituminous  coal. 

On  the  right  of  a right  branch,  three-fourths  mile 
up  Left  fork  and  with  mouth  at  altitude  1,005,  on  the 
right,  one  eighth  mile  up  the  branch,  Isaac  Miller  has 
a four-yard  entry  with  the  following  section  at  its  face : 


Flag  Coal. 

Sandstone. 

Coal  12" 

Shale  3" 

Coal  5" 

Bituminous  shale  5" 

Coal  15" 

Bituminous  shale  16" 

Cannel  coal  11" 

Coal  4" 

Altitude,  1155. 


On  the  right  three-eighths  mile  up  the  branch,  is 
another  opening  into  the  same  bed,  under  10  feet  of  shale, 
at  altitude  1,130.  The  total  thickness  is  68  inches,  of 
which  the  upper  3 y2  feet  is  virtually  identical  with  the 
preceding  and  the  remainder  was  felt  with  a hammer, 
but  not  seen,  is  similar  to  the  rest  of  that  section. 

In  the  left  fork,  seven-eighths  mile  up,  is  10  inches 
of  coal  of  the  Haddix  bed  under  10  feet  each  of  shale 
and  laminated  sandstone,  and  at  altitude  1,040. 


36 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


On  the  right,  by  the  road,  1%  miles  np,  a covered 
opening  into  the  Flag  bed  gives  its  altitude  as  1,135. 

On  the  right  of  the  gap  at  the  head  of  the  fork  and 
15  feet  higher  than  the  gap,  on  a broad  bench,  an  entry, 
now  closed,  formerly  gave  the  following  bed  section,  well 
under  cover,  a long  entry  having  been  made  in  getting 
coal  for  local  use : 


Hindman  Coal. 

Sandstone. 


Shale  5 ft. 

Coal  4" 

Shale  1" 

Coal  14" 

Shale  . 2" 

Coal  10" 

Shale  1" 

Coal  32" 

Shale  1" 

Coal  ’. 14" 


Altitude,  1310. 

Above  the  Hindman  entry  a prospect  was  made  into 
a bed  with  the  following  section,  the  lower  coal  partly 
covered  and  approximate  only: 

Shale  

Coal  stain  . . 

Cannel  coal  . 

Splint  coal  ... 

Altitude,  1350 

To  the  right  of  the  gap,  one-eighth  mile,  Mrs.  Day 
lias  a sixteen-yard  entry  into  a still  higher  bed,  with 
the  following  section  at  its  face: 

Sandstone. 


Coal  18" 

Shale  2" 

Coal  14" 

Shale  4" 

Coal  20" 


Altitude,  1385. 


. 5 ft. 
.13" 
.15" 
24" 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


37 


These  two  coals  above  the  Hindman  bed  are  believed 
to  have  united  with  it  on  the  head  of  Lewis  fork,  2 
miles  east. 

The  bottom  of  the  exposed  flint  bed  in  the  ridge  is 
at  altitude  1,455  and  of  its  top  1,475,  and  the  top  of  the 
ridge  is  at  1,540. 

On  the  right  of  Troublesome  creek,  11%  miles  up 
it,  the  John  Jones  heirs  have  a ten-yard  entry,  with  the 
following  section  at  its  face,  except  the  bottom  seam : 


Flag  Coal. 


Shale. 

Coal  

9' 

Shale  

1' 

Coal  

.....13 

Shale  

6' 

Coal  

...:. 16 

Shale  

15' 

Coal  

Altitude,  1180. 

15 

On  the  right,  12 ys  miles  np,  is  the  following  section: 

Fire-clay  Coal.  (?)  , 


Shale  7 ft. 

Sandstone  iy2  ft. 

Shale  4 ft. 

Black  slate  3" 

Coal  (reported)  30" 


Altitude,  850.  (S.) 

LOWER  BEAVER  DAM  BRANCH. 

On  the  right,  12y2  miles  up  Troublesome  creek.  Al- 
titude of  mouth,  765. 

On  the  left,  one-eiglith  mile  up  this  branch,  is  the 
following : 

Whitesburg  Coal 

Sandstone. 

Coal  5" 

Shale  8" 

Coal  (?) 

Altitude,  790.  (S.) 


38 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


At  the  head  of  a right  drain,  one-eighth  mile  up  the 
branch,  a prospect  gives  the  following: 

Flag  Coal. 

Shale  

Coal  

Shale  

Coal  

Shale  

Coal  

Shale  covered. 

Coal  covered. 

Altitude,  1175.  (S.) 

On  the  right,  one-half  mile  up,  is  the  following: 

Fire-clay  Coal.  (?) 

Sandstone. 

Shale  2 ft. 

Coal  , 10" 

Shale. 

Altitude,  855.  (S.) 


. 8 ft. 

9" 

. 1" 

9" 

5" 

.15" 


On  a right  branch,  three-fourths  mile  up,  altitude 
of  mouth,  905;  on  the  left,  one  fourth  mile  up  the  next 
branch,  is  3 feet  of  coal  reported  to  have  a two-inch  part- 
ing 4 inches  from  the  top.  It  is  covered  by  5 feet  of 
shale,  on  which  is  sandstone.  It  is  of  the  Hazard  bed,  at 
altitude  1,155.  Assuming  altitudes  to  be  correct  and  a 
rise  of  strata  up  the  branch,  the  bed  here  is  slightly 
more  than  20  feet  below  the  Flag  coal. 

On  the  right,  12%  miles  up  Troublesome  creek,  is 
the  following: 

Flag  Coal. 

Shale  and  sandstone..  5 ft. 


Coal  .....17" 

Shale  ,. 5" 

Coal  14" 

Shale  13" 

Coal  over  12" 


Altitude,  1190.  (S.) 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


39 


On  a left  branch,  12%  miles  up  the  creek  and  with 
mouth  at  altitude  765,  on  the  left,  one-half  mile  up  the 
branch,  Andrew  Noble  has  a ten-yard  entry,  with  the 
following  bed  section  at  its  face: 


Flag  Coal. 


Shale  10  ft. 

Coal  13" 

Shale  2" 

Coal  3" 

Shale  3" 

Coal  5" 

Shale  5" 

Block  coal  15" 

Shale  10" 

Coal  ...13" 


Altitude,  1165.  (S.) 


On  the  right,  13%  miles  up  Troublesome  creek,  is 
a wet  entry  of  the  following  section: 


Flag  Coal. 


Shale. 

Coal  9" 

Shale  1" 

Coal  12" 

Shale  6" 

Coal  16" 

Shale  14" 

Coal  (reported)  18" 


Altitude,  1195.  (S.) 


A five-inch  coal  under  10  feet  of  sandstone,  3 feet 
of  shale  (!)  intervening  in  the  first  case,  is  exposed  on 
the  right,  13%  miles  up  the  creek,  at  altitude  790,  and 
again  at  13%  miles  up  at  altitude  780,  indicating  a south- 
easterly dip  here,  contrary  to  that  assumed  on  Lower 
Beaver  Dam  branch. 


40 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


BUCKHORN  CREEK. 

On  the  left,  13%  miles  up  Troublesome  creek.  Al- 
titude of  moutli,  770. 

On  the  left,  one-eighth  mile  up  this  creek,  Alfred 
Allen  lias  an  entry,  now  closed,  reported  by  A.  R.  Cran- 
dall, in  a private  report,  without  naming  the  bed,  as  of 
the  following  section: 


Flag  Coal. 


Coal  , 20" 

Slate  3" 

Co#l  15" 

Slate  6" 

Coal  17" 


The  height  of  the  entry  is  not  given,  but  the  bed 
section  and  coal  below  suffice  to  correlate  the  beds.  Prof. 
Crandall  also  reported  26  inches  of  coal  seen  (said  to 
be  40  inches  thick)  in  a bed  40  feet  below  this  entry. 
This  is  of  the  Hazard  coal  bed. 

On  a left  branch,  one-fourth  mile  up  the  creek,  on 
the  left,  at  the  head  of  the  branch,  Taulbert  Allen  has 
a six-yard  entry,  with  the  following  bed  section  at  its 
face : 


Flag  Coal. 

Shale  5,  ft. 

Coal  7" 

Sfyale  1" 

Coal  9" 

Bituminous  shale  ,3" 

Coal  20" 

Bituminous  shale  13" 

Coal  17" 

Altitude,  1140. 


The  Hazard  bed  shows  in  a closed  entry  under  the 
preceding  with  coal  reported  38  inches  thick  and  at  alti- 


tude 1,110. 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


41 


LAUREL  BRANCH. 

On  the  right,  five-eighths  mile  up<  Buckhorn  creek. 
Altitude  of  mouth,  775. 

On  the  right,  one  mile  up  this  branch,  is  the  fol- 
lowing : 

Fire-clay  Coal. 

Sandstone. 

Shale  iy2  ft. 

Calcareous  sandstone  5" 

Shale  7" 

Coal  2" 

Shale  2" 

Coal  (with  2 clay  part- 
ings)   9" 

Altitude,  875.  (S.) 

On  the  left,  1 % miles  up,  this  same  bed,  apparently, 
has  9 inches  of  limestone  over  the  2 inches  of  coal,  with 
shale  above  that,  while  under  the  two-inch  coal  is  a 
foot  of  shale  to  a sandstone  floor.  Its  altitude  is  890. 

On  the  right,  2%  miles  up,  is  the  following: 

Hamlin  Coal. 


Sandstone. 

Coal  8" 

Bone  coal  A ....  2" 

Coal  4" 

Black  slate  3" 

Coal  16" 


Altitude,  1005.  (S.) 

On  the  left  of  Buckhorn  creek,  1%  miles  up  it,  is 
the  following  outcrop : 


Fire-clay  Coal  (or  Rider). 


Shale  

Coal  

Shale  

Coal  : 

Shale  

Altitude,  830. 


5 ft. 
15" 

8 ft. 
12" 

5 ft. 


42 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


BEAR  BRANCH. 

On  the  left,  1%  miles  up  Buckhorn  creek.  Altitude 
of  mouth,  795. 

Miller  Branch — On  the  left,  1%  miles  up  Bear 
branch.  Altitude  of  mouth,  990. 

On  a left  branch,  by  Andrew  Miller’s  house,  one-half 
mile  up  Miller  branch,  Mr.  Miller  has  an  eight-yard  entry 
with  the  following  section  at  its  face : 


Flag  Coal. 


Shaly  sandstone. 

Coal  

21' 

Shale  

5' 

Coal  

17' 

Shale  

18' 

Coal  

17' 

Shale  

.....  1' 

Coal  

3 

Shale  

3' 

Coal  

Altitude,  1160. 

1 

On  the  right,  opposite  the  preceding  entry,  Mr. 
Miller  has  a forty-yard  entry,  under  3 feet  of  excep- 
tionally smooth  sandstone,  giving,  half  way  in,  49  inches 
of  coal.  At  the  mouth  of  the  entry  the  following  section 
was  obtained : 


Sandstone. 

Coal  , 50" 

Shale  21" 

Coal  5" 

Shale  (over)  8" 


Coal  reported. 

Altitude,  1330. 

There  is  a good  bench  under  this  entry  at  altitude 
1,300  and  a coal  bed  is  reported  5 feet  above  it.  These 
two  beds  are  believed  to  have  united  on  Lewis  fork. 

Thin  coal  on  the  right  of  Miller  branch,  by  the  Miller 
house,  at  altitude  1,065,  is  possibly  of  the  Young  bed. 

At  the  head  of  Miller  branch,  three-fourths  mile  up 
it,  Mr.  Miller  has  a fifteen-yard  entry  into  the  top  of 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  Kiver 


43 


the  Flag  coal  (with  no  evidence  of  more  coal  below), 
with  the  following  bed  section  12  yards  in : 


Flag  Coal. 


Shale  

5 

Coal  

h‘ 

Shale  

1 

Coal  

10 

Shale  

4 

Coal  

Altitude,  1170. 

.17' 

The  lowest  seam  of  coal  is  in  one  block,  and  nearly 
a splint  coal. 

Mullins  Fork — On  the  right,  1%  miles  up  Bear 
branch.  Altitude  of  mouth,  990. 

On  the  right,  one-eighth  mile  up  the  fork,  a coal  is 
reported  1%  feet  thick,  probably  of  the  Haddix  bed,  at 
altitude  1,010. 

On  the  right  branch  at  this  place,  on  the  left,  one- 
eighth  mile  up  the  branch,  a four-yard  entry  gives  the 
following: 


Flag  Coal. 


Sandstone  5 ft. 

Coal  10" 

Shale  3" 

Coal  4" 

Shale  6" 

Coal  16" 

Bituminous  shale  13" 

Coal  13" 

Altitude,  1170. 


Two  knife-edge  partings  are  in  the  middle  of  the 
upper  coal  seam. 

On  the  right,  five-eighths  mile  up  Mullins  fork,  a 
prospect  gives  the  following: 


44 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


Flag  Coal. 


Shale  5 ft. 

Coal  . ....13" 

Shale  1" 

Coal  8" 

Shale  4" 

Coal  -....22" 

Shale  22" 

Coal  (over)  9" 


Altitude,  1180. 

Though  the  gap  to  Lewis  fork  is  only  about  100  feet 
higher,  the  ridges  on  each  side  are  high  enough  to  give 
a large  working  area  to  this  bed. 

On  the  light  of  Buckhcrn  creek,  2%  miles  up  it, 
S.  M.  Noble  has  an  eight-yard  entry,  partly  filled  with 
water  when  visited,  which  was  judged  to  have  about  the 
section  following.  Two  gray  bands  on  the  coal  may  have 
come  from  two  thin  clay  partings  additional,  but  they 
are  probably  outcrop  effects  only. 

Hazard  Coal. 


Shale  

8 

ft. 

Coal  

......  2 

ft. 

Shale  

......  1 

ft. 

Coal  

2 

ft. 

Shale  

1 

ft. 

Coal  

Altitude,  1130. 

......  1 

ft. 

The  resemblance  of  this  section  to  the  Flag  section 
heretofore  given  would  suffice  for  present  correlation 
with  that  bed,  but  the  altitude  is  more  indicative  of  the 
Hazard  coal  and  on  Buckhorn  waters  the  Flag  bed  rarely 
has  so  thick  an  upper  seam  of  coal. 

LONG  FORK. 

On  the  right,  2 Vt  miles  up  Buckhorn  creek.  Altitude 
of  mouth,  800. 

On  the  right,  one-fourth  mile  up  Long  fork,  an  out- 
crop shows  coal  24  to  32  inches  thick,  under  15  feet  of 
massive  sandstone  at  altitude  840.  It  is  of  the  Whites- 
burg  bed. 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


45 


On  the  left,  2%  miles  up,  is  8 inches  of  coal,  under 
15  feet  of  slialv  sandstone,  at  altitude  875.  This  is  of 
the  Fire-clay  coal. 

Rush  Branch — On  the  right,  2 % miles  up  Long  fork. 
Altitude  of  mouth,  880. 

On  the  head  of  a right  branch,  one-fourth  mile  up 
Rush  branch,  on  the  Taulbee  and  Allen  tract,  an  open- 
ing gave  the  following: 


Hazard  Coal. 


Shale  

2 ft. 

Coal  

23" 

Shale  

6" 

Coal  

16" 

Shale  

12" 

Coal  

Altitude,  1200. 

-16" 

On  the  right  near  the  head  of  Rush  branch,  three- 
fourths  mile  up  it,  is  31  inches  of  coal  at  altitude  1,280. 
This  appears  to  be  the  Flag  bed,  a portion  of  it  alone 
showing. 

Williams  Fork — On  the  right,  2 y2  miles  up  Long 
fork.  Altitude  of  mouth,  890. 

On  a right  branch,  one-fourth  mile  up  this  fork,  a 
short  entry  into  the  Hamlin  bed  (with  sandstone  roof) 
gave  32  to-  35  inches  of  fine  looking  coal,  mostly  splint. 
Its  altitude  is  950. 

On  the  left,  one-fourtli  mile  up  this  fork,  still  on  the 
Taulbee  and  Allen  tract,  the  Haddix  bed,  with  sandstone 
roof,  has  33  inches  of  coal  and  is  at  altitude  1,090. 

On  the  right  of  a right  branch  at  its  mouth,  iy2 
miles  up  the  fork,  the  Hazard  bed  has  beeen  opened  at 
Mrs.  Fugate’s  entry  (now  closed),  where  it  showed  about 
3 feet  of  coal,  with  perhaps  2 feet  more  under  water. 
Its  altitude  is  1,160.  With  Chestnut  gap  (to  Lick  branch) 
125  feet  higher  and  peaks  rising  some  200  feet  more,  a 
large  area  of  this  coa]  is  available  in  this,  vicinity. 

On  the  right  of  Long  fork,  2%  miles  up  it,  is  the 
following  exposure : 


46 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


Fire-clay  Coal  Rider. 


Black  shale  3 ft. 

Coal  1" 

Shale  2" 

Coal  8" 


Altitude,  900. 

Chestnut  Gap  Branch — On  the  right,  4 y2  miles  up 
Long  fork.  Altitude  of  mouth,  985. 

On  the  right,  at  the  branch,  one-half  mile  up  it,  is 
10  inches  of  coal  under  5 feet  of  shaly  sandstone  at  alti- 
tude, 1,050.  This  is  probably  of  the  Haddix  bed,  or  part 
of  it. 

On  a right  branch,  a mile  up,  on  the  right  at  its 
mouth,  a wet  entry  shows  the  Hazard  coal  bed  5 feet 
or  more  thick,  under  8 feet  of  shale,  at  altitude  1,165. 
A “ tower”  cliff  rises  from  about  40  feet  above  the  entry. 

In  Long  fork,  4%  miles  up  it,  is  11  inches  of  coal, 
the  lower  half  splint,  under  5 feet  of  massive  sandstone 
and  on  1%  feet  of  clay  and  shale.  This,  at  altitude 
1,010,  is  of  the  Haddix  bed. 

On  the  left,  4%  miles  up,  is  a long  exposure  of  coal, 
23  to  34  inches  thick,  under  10  feet  of  massive  sandstone. 
This  appears  to  be  of  the  Haddix  bed,  with  altitude  1,030. 

On  a left  branch,  5%  miles  up,  on  the  left  at  its 
mouth,  a twelve-yard  entry  into  the  same  bed  gives  33 
inches  of  coal,  at  the  mouth  of  a twelve-yard  entry,  under 
a smooth,  strong  sandstone,  at  altitude  1,030. 

The  correlation  of  the  Haddix  bed  on  Long  fork  is 
determined  by  the  somewhat  similar  sections  on  Wil- 
liams branch  of  Troublesome  creek  and  on  lower  Balls 
fork,  notwithstanding  the  fact  that  it  is  here  only  55 
feet  below  the  Hazard  coal,  or  about  where  the  Young 
bed  should  be  expected. 

On  the  right  of  the  branch,  one-eighth  mile  up,  are 
the  Smith  prospects  with  the  following  sections: 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


47 


Hazard  Coal. 


Shale. 

Coal  

Shale  

Coal  

Clay  

Coal  

Shale  

Coal  

Altitude,  1085. 


16" 

3 ft. 
43" 

2" 

19" 

4" 

22" 


Flag  Coal. 


Coal  16" 

Slate  y2" 

Coal  11" 

Slate  4" 

Coal  19" 

Slate  11" 

Coal  22" 


Altitude,  1130. 


The  Flag  coal  is  given  according  to  a reliable  report, 
though  the  slate  partings  should  probably  more  properly 
be  called  shale.  The  resemblance  of  the  two  sections  is 
remarkable.  Prof.  Crandall  gives  simila/r  sections  to 
both  openings,  except  that  in  the  Flag  bed  the  upper 
parting  and  lower  seam  of  coal  are  lacking.  Though  not 
under  cover,  and  consequently  not  fairly  representative 
of  the  coal,  analysis  of  his  sample  of  the  Flag  coal,  is 
given  following: 


Flag  Coal. 


Water  4.08 

Volatile  combustible  matter  38.08 

Fixed  carbon  50.99 

Ash  6.85 


100.00 


The  Haddix  coal  goes  below  drainage  5*4  miles  up 
Long  fork  at  altitude  1,030. 


48 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


On  the  left,  2%  miles  up  Buckhorn  creek,  an  ex- 
posure by  the  road  shows  18  inches  of  coal  under  6 inches 
of  cannel  slate  and  then  15  feet  of  sandstone.  This  is 
probably  of  the  Fire-clay  coal  (or  rider),  its  altitude 
being  830. 

LEWIS  FORK. 

On  the  left,  3%  miles  up  Buckhorn  creek.  Altitude 
of  mouth,  810. 

At  the  head  of  a right  drain,  1%  miles  up  the  creek, 
the  Kentucky  River  Hardwood  Co.  has  a prospect,  partly 
closed,  showing  the  following,  the  coal  all  much  disin- 
tegrated : 

Hindman  Coal. 

Earth. 

Coal  3V2  to  4 ft. 

Shale  21" 

Coal  8" 

Shale  11" 

Coal  4y2  to  5 ft. 

or  more. 

Altitude,  1340. 

The  bottom  seam  of  coal  is  reported  7 feet  thick. 

On  the  right  of  the  gap  (altitude  1,323),  at  the  head 
of  the  fork,  2 miles  up  it,  a prospect  shows  2 to  3 feet 
of  coal  at  altitude  1,415.  This  coal  is  under  smooth 
sandstone,  with  rough  cliff  sandstone  above  it  in  place 
of  the  flint  found  farther  west. 

From  the  developments  so  far  made  it  appears  that 
the  three  beds  above  the  gap  at  the  head  of  Fugate  fork 
are  reduced  to  two  on  the  head  of  Bear  branch,  the  coal 
at  altitude  1,160  and  the  reported  coal  below  it,  and  these 
two  reduced  to  one — the  Hindman — at  altitude  1,340,  on 
the  head  of  Lewis  branch,  the  intermediate  sandstones 
and  cannel  coal  having  disappeared. 

CLEMENTS  FORK. 

On  the  left,  4%  miles  up  Buckhorn  creek.  Altitude 
of  mouth,  820. 

O11  the  right,  l1/!  miles  up,  at  water  level,  is  1 foot 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


49 


of  coal  under  15  feet  of  shaly  sandstone  at  altitude  900. 
This  is  probably  of  the  Fire-clay  coal.  Under  it  is  about 
20  feet  of  sandstone. 

On  the  left,  3!/2  miles  up,  10  feet  above  the  fork,  is 
8 inches  of  coal  under  10  feet  of  sandstone  at  altitude 
1,065.  This  seems  to  be  of  the  Hamlin  bed. 

On  a left  branch,  3%  miles  up,  on  the  right,  one- 
eiglitli  mile  up  the  branch,  a prospect  shows  well  the 
following : 

Flag  Coal 

Shale  

Coal  

Shale  

Coal  

Shale  

Splint  coal  

Black  slate  

Cannel  coal  

Coal  

Altitude,  1185. 

On  a left  branch,  4 miles  up,  on  the  left  of  the  branch, 
at  its  mouth  and  10  feet  above  it,  is  a prospect  showing 
poorly  the  following: 


. 6 ft. 
. 7" 

. 2" 

. 5" 

. 6" 
.20" 

. 8" 
.11" 

. 6" 


Flag  Coal. 

Sandy  shale  3 ft. 

Clay  1 ft. 

Coal  (with  shale)  19" 

Shale  5" 

Coal  22" 

Black  slate  7" 

Cannel  coal 11" 

Coal  5" 

Altitude,  1185. 


The  cannel  coal  in  the  two  preceding  sections  has 
no  definite  line  of  separation  from  the  black  slate  above 
it,  but  otherwise  appears  good.  In  the  first  of  them  it 
is  inclined  toward  splint  coal.  In  the  following  section 
across  the  ridge  and  down  Horse  Mill  branch  of  South 
Quicksand  creek,  one  mile,  common  coal  replaces  the 
cannel. 


50 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


Flag  Coal. 

Shale. 


Coal  10" 

Shale  1" 

Coal  7" 

Shale  . 5" 

Coal  16" 

Shale  8" 

Coal  18" 


Altitude  not  taken. 


The  uniformity  of  this  bed  and  its  large  area  here, 
at  the  base  of  the  hill  on  both  sides  (being  at  track  level 
and  beside  it  at  the  last  named  point)  gives  certainty  of 
a large  amount  of  coal  to  be  mined  when  it  shall  become 
profitable  to  work  it  with  such  partings. 

On  the  left,  7%  miles  up  Buckhorn  creek,  is  5 feet 
of  black  slate,  a bed  which  seems  to  show  at  a number 
of  points  along  and  close  to  the  creek  for  several  miles 
above,  but  openings  farther  up  the  creek  indicate  nearly 
level  strata,  and  the  exposures  are  therefore  considered 
of  successive  strata. 

On  the  left,  7%  miles  up,  is  6 inches  of  coal  under 
3 feet  of  shaly  sandstone  and  over  3 feet  of  shale,  3 feet 
above  the  creek,  at  altitude  885.  This  may  represent 
the  Fire-clay  coal  rider. 


DANS  FORK. 

On  the  right,  8 miles  up  Buckhorn  creek.  Altitude  of 
mouth,  890. 

At  the  head  of  a left  drain,  one-eiglith  mile  up  this 
fork,  on  the  James  Flays  tract  (now  Pardee)  is  an  entry, 
now  closed,  into  what  is  assumed  to  be  of  the  Hazard 
bed,  but  may  be  of  the  Flag,  the  two  being  opened,  nearly 
alike,  on  the  head  of  Long  fork,  2 miles  south. 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


51 


Hazard  Coal. 


Shale  5 ft. 

Coal  14" 

Shale  2" 

Coal  3" 

Black  slate  2" 

Coal  6" 

Shale  2" 

Coal  18" 

Shale  10" 

Coal  17" 


Altitude,  1140. 

My  former  sample  from  tliis  entry,  then  8 yards  in, 
included  all  the  coal,  the  two  lower  seams  of  which  ap- 
peared particularly  tine.  The  sample,  analyzed  by  S. 
D.  Averitt,  gave  the  following  results : 

Laboratory  No.  2735. 


Moisture  1.76 

Volatile  combustible  matter  41.98 

Fixed  carbon  49.67 

Ash  6.59 


100.00 

Sulphur  1.83 

Phosphorus  0.013 

Specific  gravity  1.294 

Coke  (dense  spongy)  56.26 

Total  carbon  72.97 

B.  T.  U.  per  pound  of  coal 13,862 


“Average  sample  like  No.  2732  (soft  and  light),  but 
considerably  weathered,  and  with  a good  deal  of  fer- 
ruginous incrustation.  ’ ’ No.  2732  is  from  the  Hazard 
bed  at  the  head  of  Lost  creek. 

HURRICANE  BRANCH. 

On  the  right,  10  miles  up  Buckhorn  creek.  Altitude 
of  mouth,  940. 

Five  feet  of  black  slate  is  here  at  water  level  and  it 
is  overlain  by  20  feet  of  shale. 

Coal  reported  3 feet  thick  has  been  taken  from  the 
branch  1 mile  up  it,  at  altitude  1,050.  Strata  rise  quite 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


rapidly  up  stream,  so  that  this  coal  appears  to  be  below 
drainage  farther  down  the  fork,  but  it  is  more  likely  to 
be  cut  out  by  the  sandstone  which  shows  most  of  the 
way  from  the  mouth  of  the  fork  to  this  point,  from  stream 
level  to  a height  of  20  to  40  feet. 

On  the  left,  5 feet  above  the  branch,  1%  miles  up 
it,  is  1 y2  feet  of  coal  under  10  feet  of  sandstone,  at  alti- 
tude 1,075. 

On  the  left,  at  branch  level,  1%  miles  up  it,  is  37 
inches  of  coal  under  2 feet  of  sandstone,  at  altitude  1,090. 
The  coal  goes  below  drainage  here. 

The  similarity  of  these  three  openings  to  the  coal 
at  altitude  1,030  on  the  head  of  Long  fork  is  striking 
and  they  must  be  regarded  of  the  same  (Haddix)  bed. 
The  Hazard  and  Flag  beds  should  be  found  about  50  and 
100  feet  higher. 

On  the  right  of  a left  drain,  ll^i  miles  up  Buckhorn 
creek,  320  feet  above  it,  is  a closed  entry  showing  in  a 
bed  (including  2 feet  of  coal  not  mined)  a thickness  of 
seme  6 feet.  There  are  said  to  be  two  partings  in  it; 
one  of  these,  left  as  roof — 3 inches  thick  and  with  2 
feet  of  coal  showing  below  it.  Five  feet  of  shale  lie  on 
the  coal.  The  thickness  of  the  bed  and  its  altitude — 
1,280 — are  indicative  of  the  Hindman  bed.  The  height 
of  the  hill  upon  it  is  sufficient  to  provide  a large  working 
area. 

A bench  at  altitude  1,160,  then  gives  the  approxi- 
mate position  of  the  Flag  coal,  another  at  1,120  of  the 
Hazard  coal  and  a third  at  1,040  that  of  the  Haddix  coal. 
The  latter  bench  is  in  part  utilized  as  a burying  ground 
beside  the  road  near  the  mouth  of  the  drain. 

BOUGH  CAMP  BRANCH. 

On  the  right,  11%  miles  up  Buckhorn  creek.  Alti- 
tude of  mouth,  970. 

Af  the  mouth  of  this  branch,  at  its  level,  is  6 inches 
of  coal  under  20  feet  of  sandstone,  possibly  of  the  Hamlin 
bed. 

On  the  right,  a mile  up  this  branch,  William  Combs 
has  a one-yard  entry  with  the  following  section  at  its 
face : 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River  53 

Flag  Coal. 


Shale  10  ft. 

Coal  v 8" 

Shale  1" 

Coal  9" 

Shale  2" 

Coal  7" 

Shale  8" 

Splint  coal  18" 

Shale  ..—11" 

Block  coal  ...16" 


Altitude,  1265. 

Fallen  Rock  Branch — On  the  left,  1 ys  miles  up 
Bough  Camp  branch.  Altitude  of  mouth,  1,100. 

Coal  shows  in  the  branch,  one-fourtli  mile  up  it,  at 
altitude  1,125. 

At  the  mouth  of  a right  branch,  one-half  mile  up, 
altitude  1,160,  a coal  stain  shows  15  feet  higher.  These 
coals  appear  to  be  of  the  Haddix  and  Hazard  beds. 

On  the  left  of  this  right  branch,  at  its  mouth,  Andrew 
Combs  has  a closed  entry  into  the  Flag  coal  at  altitude 
1,300. 

On  the  left,  1%  miles  up  Bough  Camp  branch,  5 
feet  above  it,  old  entries,  under  4 feet  of  shale  and  then 
5 feet  of  sandstone,  indicate  a thickness  of  coal  of  some 
3 feet.  These,  at  altitude  1,130,  are  of  the  Haddix  bed. 

On  the  right,  at  the  mcutli  of  a right  hollow,  12 
miles  up  Buckliorn  creek,  Thomas  Hays  has  an  eight- 
yard  entry  with  the  following  bed  section  at  its  face : 

Flag  Coal. 


Shale  

5 

Coal  

J... 12' 

Shale  

1 

Bony  coal  

3' 

Shale  

1' 

Coal  

4' 

Shale  

4' 

Coal  

19' 

Shale  

11' 

Coal  

Altitude,  1250. 

.........17 

54 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  Eiver 


UPPER  BEAVER  DAM  BRANCH. 

On  the  right,  15  miles  up  Troublesome  creek.  Alti- 
tude of  mouth,  780. 

On  the  right,  one-half  mile  up  this  branch  (on  its 
right  fork),  Mowbray  & Robinson  have  a fifteen-yard 
entry  with  the  following  section,  the  lower  4 feet  meas- 
ured at  the  face,  the  rest  not  mined : 

Flag  Coal. 


Shale  

..  5 ft. 

Coal  

..10" 

Shale  

..  2" 

Coal  

..  3" 

Shale  : 

..  2" 

Coal  

..12" 

Shale  

...  5" 

Coal  , 

..18" 

Shale  

..11" 

Coal  

..18" 

Altitude,  1160.  (S.) 

CAT  HOLLOW. 

On  the  right,  15%  miles  up  Troublesome  creek.  Al- 
titude of  mouth,  790. 

On  the  right,  one-fourth  mile  up  the  branch,  is  28 
inches  of  coal,  under  2 y2  feet  of  shale  and  then  10  feet  of 
sandstone,  at  altitude  1,045.  This  is  of  the  Haddix  bed. 

On  the  right,  three-eighths  mile  up,  Floyd  Campbell 
has  a four-yard  entry  with  the  following  bed  section  at 
its  face : 

Flag  Coal. 


Shale  10  ft. 

Coal  4" 

Clay  (thin). 

Coal  7" 

Clay  (thin). 

Coal  2" 

Shale  2" 

Coal  10" 

Shale  3" 

Coal  15" 

Shale  10" 

Coal  (over)  12" 


Altitude,  1205. 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


55 


The  top  of  the  tower  sandstone  and  hill  on  the  left 
are  at  altitude  1,365. 

On  the  right,  1 6y2  miles  up  Troublesome  creek,  is 
the  following  exposure,  the  three  coal  seams  being  con- 
sidered of  the  Whitesburg  bed,  the  upper,  probably  the 
top  seam  of  the  bed,  being  at  altitude  835. 


Whitesburg  Coal. 


Sandstone  

10  ft. 

Coal  

15" 

Shale  

4 ft. 

Sandstone  

25  ft. 

Coal  

5" 

Shale  

1 % ft. 

Coal  

5" 

Fire-clay. 

.Altitude,  805. 

On  a left  branch  16%  miles  up  the  creek,  on  the  left, 
one-fourth  mile  up  the  branch,  Green  Campbell  has  a 
fifteen-yard  entry  with  the  following  section  at  its  mouth : 


Flag  Coal. 


Sandstone  3 ft. 

Shaly  sandstone  2 ft. 

Coal  13" 

Shale  2" 

Coal  4" 

Shale  2" 

Coal  3" 

Shale  6" 

Splint  coal  15" 

Shale  11" 

Block  coal  17" 

Altitude,  1205. 


FRANCIS  BRANCH. 

On  the  left,  17  miles  up  Troublesome  creek.  Alti- 
tude of  mouth,  795. 

On  the  right  of  a right  hollow,  one-eighth  mile  up 
the  branch  and  hollow  both,  a prospect  shows  the  fol- 
lowing: 


56 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


Fire-clay  Ccal  (Rider). 


Shale  5 ft. 

Black  slate  2 ft. 

Coal  5" 

Clay  1" 

Coal  2" 


Altitude,  890.  (S  ) 

On  the  point  of  a spur  on  the  left,  one-fourth  to 
one-half  mile  up,  the  following  notes  were  obtained : 


Summit  1360 

Cliff  1285 

Cliff  * 1260 

Bench  1245 

r Hard  sandstone  cliff  1210 

Flag  coal  entry  1180 

Bench  1160 

Iron  ore  - : 1065 

Shale  1055 

Ccal  stain  under  10  ft.  sandstone 885 

Fire-clay  coal  stain  870 

Sandstone  850 


On  the  left  of  the  branch,  one-lialf  mile  up  it,  Hays 
and  Campbell  have  a twelve-yard  entry  with  the  fol- 
lowing section  at  the  face,  but  with  7 feet  of  shale  show- 
ing over  the  coal  at  its  mouth : 

Flag  Coal. 


Sandstone. 

Coal  15" 

Shale  1" 

Coal  13" 

Shale  2" 

Splint  coal  12" 

Shale  11" 

Splint  coal  11" 

Soft  coal  1" 


Altitude,  1180 

In  the  branch,  three-fourths  mile  up,  is  4 inches  of. 
coal,  under  4 feet  of  shale,  at  altitude  925,  supposed  to 
be  of  the  Fire-clay  coal  rider. 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


57 


NOBLE  BRANCH. 

On  tlie  right,  17%  miles  up  the  creek.  Altitude  of 
mouth,  800. 

In  a left  drain  at  the  month  of  the  branch  Anderson 
Hays  has  an  unfinished  prospect  into  the  Haddix  coal, 
27  inches  thick,  under  2 feet  of  shale  and  then  2 feet  of 
thin-bedded  sandstone,  at  altitude  1,070. 

The  branch  forks  one-fourtli  mile  up  it. 

A quarter  mile  up  the  right  fork  there  is  2 feet  of 
limestone  at  altitude  1,010. 

On  the  left,  one-lialf  mile  up,  at  the  face  of  a forty- 
yard  entry,  the  Haddix  coal  has  33  inches  of  coal  under 
2 feet  of  shale  and  then  12  feet  of  shaly  sandstone,  at 
altitude  1,035. 

On  the  right,  one-lialf  mile  up  the  left  fork,  20  feet 
above  it,  Mary  Allen  has  an  eight-yard  entry  with  the 
following  section  at  its  mouth : 

Haddix  Coal. 


Shale  . 4 ft. 

Clay  sandstone  2 ft. 

Shale  : 8 ft. 

Coal  8" 

Cannel  coal  ....24" 

Black  slate. 

Altitude,  1025. 


On  Noble  branch  Charles  Hendrie  obtained  an  out- 
crop sample  of  23  inches  of  cannel  coal,  which  was  over- 
lain  by  12  inches  of  common  coal,  probably  at  the  opening 
of  the  foregoing  entry.  This,  analyzed,  by  Dr.  R.  Peter, 
gave  the  following  results : 

Haddix  Cannel. 

Chemical  Report  No.  3111. 


Moisture  0.70 

Volatile  combustible  matter  50.90 

Fixed  carbon  36.70 

Ash  (gray)  11.70 


100.00 

Sulphur  3.845 

Coke  (dense)  48.40 


58 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


STEVE  BRANCH. 

On  the  left,  17%  miles  up  the  creek.  Altitude  of 
mouth,  805. 

On  this  branch  the  following  section  was  taken  from 
its  mouth  to  the  cliffs  above  the  entry  on  the  right,  three- 
eighths  mile  up : 


Sandstone  1290 

Sandstone  4 1265 

Thick  Flag  coal  stain  1170 

Haddix  coal,  31  inches  1070 

Broad  bench  1055 

Limestone  970 

Bench  (Fire-clay  coal,  Rider)  915 


The  31  inches  Haddix  coal,  was  found  in  an  aban- 
doned entry  of  Samuel  Napier’s.  It  is  especially  bright, 
fine-looking  coal,  overlain  by  15  feet  of  sandy  shale  and 
thin-bedded  sandstone.  The  interval  down  from  the  fifty- 
loot  sandstone  serves  to  correlate  the  Flag  bed. 

ROWDY  BRANCH. 

On  the  right,  17%  miles  up  the  creek.  Altitude  of 
mouth,  805. 

On  the  left  at  the  head  of  a right  hollow,  one-fourth 
mile  up  the  branch,  Andrew  and  Samuel  Noble  have  a 
twelve-yard  entry  with  the  following  section,  the  lower 
seam  of  coal  (not  mined),  measured  at  the  mouth  and 
the  upper  seams  at  the  face: 


Hazard  Coal. 


Coal  35" 

Clay  shale  1 2 to  4" 

Coal  17" 

Shale  3" 

Hard  block  coal  6" 

Coal  3" 

Altitude,  1130. 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


59 


Following  is  a section  as  obtained  in  this  hollow : 


Hill  top  1365 

Sandstone  (Lower  cliff)  1270 

Narrow  bench  „ 1250 

Bench  (Flag  coal)  1180 

Hazard  coal  entry  1130 

Haddix  coal  stain  1095 

Bench  (Hamlin  coal)  985 

Bench  (Fire-clay  coal)  890 


The  Flag  coal,  as  on  Francis  and  Steve  branches,  is 
about  100  feet  below  the  thick  “tower”  sandstone,  and 
the  Hazard  coal  only  45  feet  above  the  Haddix.  The 
interval  from  the  Flag  to  the  Haddix  bed,  160  feet  on 
Cat  Hollow,  is  reduced  to  about  100  feet  here. 

The  Francis  coal  is  on  the  bench  at  1,250,  and  the 

place  of  the  Hindman  bed  is  on  top  of  the  unusually 

thick  tower  rock. 

On  a right  drain,  five-eighths  mile  up  the  branch, 
on  the  right,  one-eighth  mile  up  the  drain,  the  Campbell 
heirs  have  a seven-yard  entry  with  the  following  section : 

Fire-clay  Coal  or  Rider. 

Shale. 

Coal  10" 

Shale  2" 

Coal  6" 

Shale  1" 

Coal  4" 

Clay  (thin). 

Coal  6" 

Shale  0 to  3" 

Coal  12" 

Altitude,  925.  (S.) 

The  branch  forks,  1%  miles  up,  at  altitude  980. 

On  the  right,  one-eighth  mile  up  the  left  fork,  is  a 
five-yard  entry  with  the  following  bed  section  at  its  face : 

Hamlin  Coal. 


Sandstone  15  ft. 

Coal  7" 

Clay  1" 

Coal  over  21" 


Altitude,  1020. 


60 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


On  the  left  of  a right  drain,  18  miles  up  Trouble- 
some creek,  one-fourth  mile  up  the  drain,  Lee  Allen  has 
a ten-yard  entry  with  the  following  section  at  its  mouth, 
the  lower  seam  of  coal  alone  mined: 


Hazard  Coal. 

Shaly  sandstone  5 ft. 

Shale  3 ft. 

Coal  5" 

Shale  2" 

Coal  . 12" 

Shale  (with,  coal)  ....  2 ft. 

Coal  36" 

Altitude,  1170. 


With  altitude  to  answer  for  either  the  Flag  or  Haz- 
ard bed,  the  thick  coal  at  the  base  of  the  section  deter- 
mines it  to  be  of  the  latter. 

On  the  left  of  a left  branch,  T8%  miles  up  the  creek, 
cn  the  left,  one-eightli  mile  up  the  branch,  an  uprooted 
tree  gives  a.  stain  of  the  Haddix  coal,  with  altitude  of 
1,055.  Cliff  sandstones  along  the  creek  prevail  from  al- 
titude 850  to  this  coal. 

On  the  left  of  the  creek,  at  the  road  100  yards  be- 
yond its  crossing  of  the  preceding  branch,  an  incomplete 
exposure  gives  the  following  section: 

Fire-clay  Coal. 

Red  and  brown  clay..  1 ft. 

Flint  fire-clay  4" 

Coal  1 ft. 

Red  and  brown  clay 

and  shale  iy2  ft. 

Sandstone. 

Altitude,  860. 

The  color  of  the  clay  may  be  the  result  of  burning 
of  the  coal  in  outcrop.  The  coal  and  clay  appear  to  be 
completely  cut  out  by  sandstone  at  the  branch  below  the 
exposure. 

Excepting  about  the  mouth  of  Cockerel  fork,  3 miles 
west  of  this  point,  no  other  appearance  of  the  flint  tire 
clay  is  known  to  have  been  found  on  Troublesome  creek 
waters  below  Big  branch,  3%  miles  below  Hindman. 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


61 


On  a right  drain,  1 9y2  miles  np  the  creek,  at  the 
head  of  the  drain,  one-eiglitli  mile  up,  S.  M.  Holliday 
has  a ten-yard  wet  entry  with  the  following  bed  section 
at  its  mouth : 


Haddix  Coal. 


Sandstone  5 ft. 

Coal  8" 

Shale  7" 

Coal  1" 

Shale  7" 

Coal  33" 

Clay  1" 

Coal  11" 


Altitude,  1045. 

McNELLY  (McKINLEY)  BRANCH. 

On  the  left,  19%  miles  up  the  creek.  Altitude  of 
mouth,  815. 

On  the  left,  one-fourth  mile  up  this  branch,  an  entry 
gives  the  following  section: 

Fire-clay  Coal  (Rider). 

Shale. 

Black  slate. 


Coal  6" 

Clay. 

Covered  4 ft. 

Coal  .18" 


Altitude,  890.  (S.) 

On  the  left,  one-half  mile  up,  is  the  following  ex- 
posure : 

Fire-clay  Coal  (Rider). 

Thin-bedded  and  shaly 


sandstone  40  ft. 

Shale  3 ft. 

Sandstone  10" 

Shale  2" 

Coal  2" 

Shale  1" 

Coal  4" 

Black  shale 2" 

Shale  3" 

Sandy  fire-clay  2 ft. 

Shale  zy2  ft. 

Altitude,  895. 


62 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


A gray  limestone  appears  at  seven-eighths  mile  up 
the  branch;  altitude  935,  and  dark  fossil  limestone  at 
IdA  miles  up;  altitude  1,025. 

On  the  left,  IV2  miles  up,  a forty-yard  entry  has  the 
following  bed  section  35  yards  in : 

Haddix  Coal. 

Sandstone  7 ft. 

Shale  1V2  ft. 

Coal  24" 

Shale  3" 

Coal  8" 

Altitude,  1055.  (S.) 

TOMS  BRANCH. 

On  the  right,  20 y2  miles  up  the  creek.  Altitude  of 
mouth,  820. 

RIGHT  FORK. 

On  the  right,  seven-eighths  mile  up  the  branch.  Alti- 
tude of  mouth,  900. 

On  the  left,  one-eighth  mile  up  this  fork,  a long 
entry  gives  the  following  section  near  its  mouth. 


Haddix  Coal. 

Sandstone. 

Coal  

...12" 

Clay  

...  1" 

Coal  

...16" 

Clay  

....  1" 

Coal  

Altitude,  1090. 

...20" 

This  coal  goes  under  the  fork, 

three-eighths  mile  up 

it,  at  altitude  1,085,  showing  that  the  fork  is  nearly  on 
the  line  of  strike. 

On  the  left,  one-half  mile  up, 
formerly  gave  the  following: 

Hazard  Coal. 

a now  closed  prospect 

Coal  stain  

...  9" 

Earth  

...  9" 

Coal  

....  6" 

Clay  

...  6" 

Coal  

Altitude,  1190. 

...71" 

North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


63 


In  a recent  visit  to  this  opening  it  was  found  that 
the  18  inches  of  earth  and  coal  stain  had  disappeared 
and  in  their  place  is  shale  or  shaly  sandstone.  The 
height  of  the  bed  leaves  open  the  question  of  whether 
this  is  the  Hazard  or  Flag  and  no  other  coal  has  been 
found  on  the  fork  to  answer  it.  The  stain  now  gone  is 
proof  of  a slightly  higher  bed,  and  this  therefore  must 
be  the  Hazard,  with  interval  from  the  Haddix  bed,  100 
feet — somewhat  greater  than  usual  on  Troublesome 
creek,  and  considerably  more  than  on  Rowdy  creek. 


LEFT  FORK. 

On  the  left,  seven-eighths  mile  up  Toms  branch. 
Altitude  of  mouth,  900. 

On  a left  branch,  three-eighths  mile  up  the  fork,  on 
the  right,  one-eighth  mile  up  the  branch,  J.  Smith  has 
an  entry  with  the  following  bed  section : 


Haddix  Coal. 


Sandstone  3 ft. 

Coal  4" 

Shale  1" 

Coal  33" 


Altitude,  1100.  (S.) 


An  early  investigation  gave  the  following  on  the 
left  of  Troublesome  creek  above  Toms  branch : 


Flag  Coal. 


Cliff  sandstone  70  ft. 

Coal  6" 

Shale  9" 

Coal  12" 

Altitude,  1205. 


It  is  probable  that  more  coal  of  this  bed  lies  close 
below  that  found. 


64 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


Haddix  Coal. 
Cliff  sandstone  

40  ft. 

Whitesburg  Coal 

Sandstone 

(Upper  seam). 

30  ft. 

Coal  

5" 

Thin  coal. 

Shale  

2" 

Covered  

10  ft. 

Coal  

2" 

Thin  coal. 

Shale  

20" 

Altitude,  840. 

Coal  

36" 

Altitude,  1105. 

Bastard  limestone. 

Altitude,  1030. 

McJILTON  BRANCH  (LICK  FORK). 

On  the  right,  21%  miles  np  the  creek.  Altitude  of 
mouth,  825. 

On  the  left  of  a right  branch,  three-fourths  mile  up, 
at  its  head,  one-lialf  mile  up  the  right  branch,  a two- 
yard  entry  has  the  following  section : 


Hazard  Coal. 


Shale. 

Coal  

54' 

Shale  

12' 

Coal  

21' 

Altitude,  1270. 

The  thick  coal  of  the  upper  seam  gives  reason  for 
the  correlation  advanced,  the  altitude  given  being  prob- 
ably too  great. 

On  the  left,  one  mile  up  -McJilton  branch  is  the  fol- 
lowing exposure : 

Fire-clay  Coal. 

Shaly  sandstone  : ..2  ft. 

Bituminous  shale  1 ft. 

Coal  1 to  2" 

Brown  and  red  shale  3 ft. 

Coal  12" 

Shale  and  pyrite  1" 

Coal  4" 

Sandstone  to  branch. .10  ft. 

Altitude  of  coal,  980. 

The  colored  shale  here  resembles  that  of  the  colored 
clay  in  the  Fire-clay  coal  bed  at  the  road  .18%  miles  up 
the  creek. 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


65 


LEFT  FORK. 

On  tlie  left,  114  miles  up  the  branch.  Altitude  of 
mouth,  1,030. 

On  the  right  at  the  head  of  the  fork,  one-fourth  mile 
up,  Richard  Smith  has  an  eighteen-yard  entry  with  the 
following  bed  section  half  way  in : 

Hazard  Coal. 


Sandstone  5 ft. 

Clay  8 ft. 

Coal  81" 


Altitude,  1255. 


This  lies  on  a broad  bench,  which  with  its  thickness 
is  indicative  of  the  Hazard  coal.  It  lies  75  feet  above 
the  gap  to  the  small  branch  flowing  into  Troublesome 
creek  at  the  mouth  of  Pigeon  Roost  branch. 

LAUREL  BRANCH. 

On  the  left,  22  miles  up  the  creek.  Altitude  of 
mouth,  825. 

A four-foot  bed  of  limestone  on  the  left,  one-half 
mile  up,  under  thick,  shalv  sandstone  at  altitude  970,  is 
the  only  thing  to  report  on  this  branch.  Probably  the 
Haddix  coal  lies  about  40  feet  above  it. 

On  the  right  of  the  creek,  22 y2  miles  up,  Jack  Dobson 
has  a twenty-yard  entry  with  the  following  section  7 
yards  in : ; .... 

Hazard  Coal. 


Shale.  it. 

Coal  30" 

Shale  5" 

Coal  37" 


Altitude,  1220.  (S.) 

WILLIAMS  BRANCH. 

On  the  left,  23  miles  up  the  creek.  Altitude  of 
mouth,  830. 

On  a left  drain,  one-fourth  mile  up,  on  the  right, 
one-eighth  mile  up  the  drain,  Walter  Campbell  has  an 
entry  with  the  following  section : 


K.  r.— 3. 


66 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


Haddix  Coal. 

Shale. 


Coal  22" 

Shale  8" 

Coal  i 12" 


Altitude,  1085.  (S.) 

On  a right  branch,  seven-eighths  mile  up,  on  the 
right,  one-fourth  mile  up  it,  a five-yard  entry  gives  the 
following  bed  section  at  its  face : 

Hazard  Coal. 


Sandstone  8 ft. 

Coal  9" 

Good  bony  coal  5" 

Coal  5" 

Friable  coal  3" 

Block  coal  18" 


Altitude,  116.0.  (S.) 

BUCK  FORK. 

On  the  left,  1%  miles  up  Williams  branch.  Altitude 
Of  mouth,  960. 

On  a left  branch,  one-eighth  mile  up  the  fork,  on 
the  right,  one-eighth  mile  up  the  branch,  Mr.  Ashley  has 
a four-yard  entry  into  the  Hazard  bed,  with  33  inches 
of  coal  under  5 feet  of  sandstone  forming  an  uneven 
roof.  Its  altitude  is  1,180. 

A foot  of  limestone  under  10  feet  of  shale,  probably 
about  40  feet  below  the  Haddix  coal,  shows  at  three- 
eighths  mile  up  the  fork  at  altitude  1,020. 

On  a left  branch,  three-eighths  mile  up,  on  the  left, 
one-eighth  mile  up  the  branch,  an  entry  gives  the  fol- 
lowing section: 

Hazard  Coal. 


Sandstone  5 ft. 

Shale  1" 

— Coal  15" 

Bone  coal  4" 

Coal  20" 


Altitude,  1180.  (S.) 

At  1%  miles  up  Williams  branch  is  2 feet  of  lime- 
stone at  altitude  1,035. 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


67 


On  the  right,  1%  miles  up  the  branch,  Preston  Wil- 
liams has  a five-yard  entry  with  the  following  section 
at  its  face: 

Haddix  Coal. 


Shale. 

Coal  16" 

Slate  16" 

Block  coal  9" 


Altitude,  1060.  (S.) 

In  this  close  vicinity  a former  opening  into  this  bed 
near  the  level  of  the  branch  gave  the  following  section: 


Haddix  Coal. 

Sandstone  10  ft. 

Shaly  sandstone  15  ft. 

Shale  3 ft. 

Coal  18" 

Cannel  coal  4" 

Shale  9" 

Clay  8" 

Coal  6" 

Altitude,  1060.  (?) 


BEECH  BRANCH. 

On  the  right,  23  miles  up  the  creek.  Altitude  of 
mouth,  830. 

On  the  left,  at  the  branch,  one-eighth  mile  up  it,  is 
16  inches  of  coal  on  3 feet  of  clay  and  under  4 feet  of 
shaly  sandstone  at  altitude  890.  This  is  about  15  feet 
under  the  Fire-clay  coal,  a seam  not  often  found,  but 
not  unknown. 

In  and  by  the  branch  50  yards  or  more  farther  up  it 
is  the  following  exposure : 

Fire-clay  Coal. 


Shaly  sandstone  5 ft. 

Shale  iy2  ft. 

Coal  8" 

Shale  8 ft. 

Coal  14" 

Shale  1" 

Coal  4" 


Shaly  sandstone. 
Altitude,  910. 


68 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


RIGHT  FORK. 

On  the  right,  three-eighths  mile  up.  Altitude  of 
mouth,  990. 

On  the  left,  at  a spring  at  the  mouth  of  the  fork,  is 
coal  reported,  but  4 inches  thick.  This,  at  altitude  1,005, 
is  of  the  Hamlin  bed,  and  is  likely  to  have  more  coal 
below  that  found. 

On  the  right,  cne-eighth  mile  up  the  fork,  George 
Stacy  has  a fifteen-yard  entry  with  the  following  bed 
section  5 yards  in,  about  18  inches  of  top  cogd  and  3 
inches  at  the  bottom  not  mined:  *sG 


Hazard  Coal. 

Massive  sandstone  ....10  ft. 


Shaly  sandstone  2 ft. 

Coal  6" 

Shale  4" 

Coal  about  52" 

Clay  1" 

Coal  about  40" 


Altitude,  1230.  (S'.), 

The  plentiful  stain  of  the  Flag  coal  was  found  65 
feet  above  the  entry  at  altitude  1,295. 

On  the  left,  at  Jasper  Stacy’s,  23%  miles  up  Trou- 
blesome creek,  the  following  notes  were  taken: 

20  ft.  rough  sandstone  cliff  at  altitude 1,285 

Closed  entry  Flag  coal  with  thick  shale  cover- 
ing, reported  8-ft.  bed  with  thick  parting  near 

bottom  and  one  smaller  1,235 

Of  two  entries  under  15  ft.  of  massive  sandstone, 
one  20  yards  in,  has  coal  36  inches  at  mouth 

and  33  inches  at  face.  Hazard  coal  1,190 

Old  prospect  on  bench.  Apparently  no  coal 1,155 


Haddix  bench  1,090 

Probable  place  of  Fire-clay  coal  890 

Troublesome  creek  830 


That  the  eight-foot  bed  on  Beech  branch  is  the  same 
as  the  three-foot  bed  here  and  not  the  eight-foot  bed  40 
feet  higher  seems  hardly  possible,  and  the  correlation 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


69 

adopted  may  prove  erroneous.  In  that  case  the  tliree- 
foot  bed  becomes  the  Young  and  the  higher  bed  the 
Hazard.  It  is  likely,  however,  that  more  coal  lies  beneath 
the  present  floor  of  the  tliree-foot  bed,  for  it  is  inter- 
mediate in  position  and  height  to  the  Hazard  coal  opened 
on  Beech  branch  and  that  on  Lick  branch  of  Balls  fork, 
the  latter  only  a half  mile  away.  These  three  openings, 
too,  all  have  sandstone  roof,  while  the  eight-foot  Stacy 
bed  has  shale  which  appears  unlikely  to  revert  immedi- 
ately to  sandstone  underground. 

BALLS  FORK. 

On  the  left,  23%  miles  up  the  creek.  Altitude  of 
mouth,  835. 

LICK  BRANCH. 

On  the  left,  three-fourths  mile  up  Balls  fork.  Alti- 
tude of  mouth,  840. 

On  the  left,  one-eiglitli  mile  up  the  branch,  Lewis 
Holliday  had  an  opening  with  the  following  section : 

Haddix  Coal. 


Sandstone  15  ft. 

Coal  4" 

Cannel  coal  5" 

Coal  23" 


Altitude,  1070. 

Over  this  he  has  now  a prospect  into  the  lower  bench 
of  coal  following  and  a three-yard  entry  into  the  upper 
bench.  Of  the  lower  bench  a foot  of  coal  was  visible  and 
measurement  of  the  upper  was  taken  at  the  mouth  of 
the  entry. 

Hazard  Coal. 

Massive  sandstone.  .25  ft. 


Coal  22" 

Shale  4 ft. 

Coal  bed  2 ft.  or  more 


Altitude,  1170. 

A ten-foot  cliff  lies  close  under  the  floor  of  the  bed. 


70 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


On  each  side  of  Lick  branch,  one-fourth  mile  up  it, 
are  the  exposures  following,  which  illustrate  the  rapid 
changes  in  this  region  of  thickness  of  strata  and  of  their 
appearance  after  weathering: 


Fire-clay  Coal. 


(1) 


Soft  sandstone  3 ft. 

Coal  9" 

Covered  3 ft. 

Shale  5 ft. 


(2) 

Laminated  sandstone  10  ft. 

Shale  30  ft. 

Coal  5" 

Shale  10  ft. 

Coal  6" 

Shale  4 ft. 


Both  sections  are  based  at  the  branch,  at  altitude  870. 

All  openings  on  this  branch  farther  up  it  are  re- 
ported fallen  in,  but  from  a former  reconnaissance  the 
following  notes  are  obtained,  location  and  heights  of 
openings  given  somewhat  indefinite  and  unreliable  and 
correlations  uncertain.  The  presence  of  a fine  bed  of 
coal  is  evident  and  it  has  a large  area  in  the  vicinity. 

At  McNapier’s,  iy2  miles  up  the  branch,  the  fol- 
lowing section  was  found : 

Hazard  Coal. 


Sandstone  5 ft. 

Coal  ...20" 

Shale  8" 

Coal  42" 

Shale  3" 

Coal  1" 

Clay  5" 

Coal  about  33" 


Altitude,  1130. 


The  bottom  seam  of  coal  was  covered  with  mud  and 
water,  so  that  it  could  not  be  measured  accurately,  and 
it  may  contain  a parting.  The  sandstone  under  the 
Haddix  coal  forms  a prominent  cliff  along  here,  as  re- 
cently noted,  about  20  feet  high  and  with  its  base  at 
altitude  about  1,050,  some  50  feet  above  the  branch. 

At  3 miles  up  the  branch  the  Ingalls  coal  gave  the 
following  section : 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


71 


Hazard  Coal. 

Shaly  sandstone. 


Coal  12" 

Shale  24" 

Coal  43" 

Clay  1" 

Coal  20" 

Shale  19" 


Altitude,  1175. 

On  the  left,  1 mile  up  Balls  fork,  a thin  coal  under 
massive  sandstone  gives  probably  the  upper  seam  of  the 
Whitesburg  bed  at  altitude  860. 

GEORGES  BRANCH. 

On  the  right,  1%  miles  up  Balls  fork.  Altitude  of 
mouth,  850. 

On  the  left,  % mile  up  a right  drain  at  the  mouth 
of  this  branch,  the  Fugate  brothers  have  a closed  entry 
into  2 to  2 y2  feet  of  coal,  in  part  cannel.  Two  feet  of 
shaly  and  then  massive  sandstone  cover  the  bed,  while 
8 feet  under  it  is  a ten-foot  sandstone  cliff.  It  is  of  the 
Haddix  bed,  at  altitude  1,100. 

On  the  right,  % mile  up  the  branch,  the  Fugate 
brothers  have  a six-yard  entry  with  the  following  bed 
section  at  its  face : 


Flag  Coal. 


Shale  8 ft. 

Coal  11" 

Hard  shale  1" 

Coal  11" 

Shale  3" 

Block  coal  13" 

Hard  dark  clay  11" 

Block  coal  13" 

Altitude,  1250. 


A distinct  bench,  below  the  entry,  at  altitude  1,170, 
is  probably  20  to  30  feet  below  the  Hazard  coal. 

On  the  right,  1%  miles  up  Balls  fork,  a prospect 
gives  the  following: 


72 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  Kiyer 


Hamlin  Coal. 

Shale  

Coal  . 

Shale  

Coal  

Altitude,  1000 

On  the  left,  2 ys  miles  up,  in  a rock  house  15  feet 
high,  and  again  on  the  right  at  the  fork,  21/4  miles  up, 
under  10  feet  of  shaly  sandstone  and  above  10  inches 
of  shale,  a seam  of  the  Whitesburg  bed  has  17  inches 
of  coal,  at  altitude  870. 

On  the  right  of  a right  branch,  2%  miles  up  Balls 
fork,  % mile  up  the  branch,  Addison  Fugate  has  a partly 
closed  prospect  giving  the  following  section : 


2 ft. 
14" 

. 5 ft. 
9" 


Hazard  and  Flag  Coals. 


Massive  sandstone  ....  4 ft. 

Coal  or  shale  2" 

Coal  4" 

Clay  1" 

Coal  12" 

Splint  coal  18" 

Coal  2" 

Shale  8" 

Coal  14" 

Shale  10" 

Coal  3 to  5 ft. 


Altitude,  1200. 


On  Coles  branch,  across  the  ridge  at  the  head  of 
this  branch,  there  is  evidence  of  the  close  approach  of 
these  beds.  The  remarkable  thickness  of  coal  at  this 
opening  and  correspondence  of  section  with  those  on 
Coles  branch  (see  page  102)  leave  little  room  for  doubt 
of  the  junction  of  the  two  beds. 

The  place  of  the  Haddix  bed  is  plainly  shown  be- 
tween this  opening  and  the  Whitesburg  bed  at  the  fork 
at  altitude  1,110,  between  two  prominent  cliffs  10  feet 
apart. 

At  the  mill  dam,  3 miles  up  Balls  fork,  the  Whites- 
burg upper  seam  goes  below  drainage,  still  17  inches 
thick,  at  altitude  875. 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


On  a left  branch,  3%  miles  up  the  fork,  Samuel 
Fugate  has  an  eight-yard  entry  with  the  following  sec- 
tion at  its  face : 


Hazard  Coal. 

Sandstone. 


Coal  10" 

Shale  1" 

Coal  24" 

Shale  7" 

Coal  16" 


Altitude,  1215. 

A drop  of  the  sandstone  at  the  month  of  the  entry 
cut  out  there  the  upper  seam  of  coal  and  parting.  It  is 
possible  that  the  floor  of  the  entry' is  a parting  and  that 
the  main  coal  is  beneath  it.  A bench  at  altitude  1,150 
marks  the  place  of  the  Young  coal. 

ROARING  BRANCH. 

On  the  right,  3%  miles  up  Balls  fork.  Altitude  of 
mouth,  900. 

Elisha  Fork — On  the  left,  % mile  up  the  branch. 
Altitude  of  mouth,  985, 

In  a right  drain  at  the  mouth  of  a left  branch,  y2 
mile  up  Elisha  fork,  a prospect  gives  the  following  sec- 
tion : 


Hazard  Coal. 


Sandstone  2 ft. 

Coal  3" 

Clay  20" 

Coal  30" 


Altitude,  1245. 

In  this  left  branch,  % mile  up  it,  is  a three-yard 
entry,  under  2 feet  of  sandstone,  having  40  inches  or 
more  of  coal,  the  lower  foot  hidden  in  water.  This  is  of 
the  Hazard  bed,  at  altitude  1,245. 

On  the  left  of  the  fork,  1%  miles  up  it,  a covered 
prospect  gives  the  altitude  of  the  Hazard  coal  at  1,250. 


74 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


Above  and  just  beyond  this  an  eight-yard  wet  entry 
shows  the  Flag  bed  over  4 feet  thick,  under  sandstone, 
at  altitude  1,330. 


On  the  right,  1 mile  up  Roaring  branch,  a coal  stain 
in  the  road,  beside  a spring,  under  5 feet  of  shale,  at 
altitude  1,140,  seems  to  have  no  place  in  the  series  and 
is  probably  not  extensive  in  area. 

On  the  right  above  this  outcrop  Henry  Combs  has 
a wet  entry,  under  sandstone,  having  50  inches  of  coal, 
the  lower  foot  in  water  and  not  seen.  This  is  of  the 
Hazard  bed  at  altitude  1,285. 

On  the  right  of  Balls  fork,  4 miles  up  it,  the  Fire- 
clay coal,  probably,  has  23  inches  of  coal,  under  8 feet 
of  shale  and  then  sandstone,  at  altitude  940. 


BIG  BRANCH. 

On  the  right,  4%  miles  up  Balls  fork.  Altitude  of 
mouth,  915. 

On  the  right,  ys  mile  up  this  branch,  a seam  of  the 
Whitesburg  coal,  rising  from  below  drainage  and  15 
inches  thick,  is  exposed  under  6 inches  of  black  slate 
and  then  10  feet  of  shale  at  altitude  925. 


Beech  Creek — On  the  right,  % mile  up  Big  branch. 
Altitude  of  month,  935. 

The  preceding  coal  goes  below  drainage  about  at 
the  mouth  of  this  creek. 

On  the  right,  % mile  up,  Jason  Richie  has  a fifteen- 
yard  wet  entry,  showing  at  its  mouth,  under  earth  cover, 
a coal  bed  about  6y2  feet  thick,  a considerable  propor- 
tion of  it  understood  to  be  shale.  This  is  of  the  Haddix 
bed  at  altitude  1,180. 

On  the  left,  y2  mile  up  the  creek,  opposite  a right 
branch,  with  mouth  at  altitude  995,  and,  again,  on  the 
right  100  yards  farther  up  the  creek,  are  the  following 
exposures : 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


75 


Fire-clay 

Shale. 

Sandstone  iy2  ft. 

Shaly  sandstone  5 ft. 

Coal  : 2" 

Shale  6 to  9" 

Coal  6" 

Clay. 

Sandstone 1 ft. 

Altitude,  995. 


Coal. 

Shale. 

Black  slate  2 ft. 

Shaly  sandstone  10  ft. 

Black  slate  10  ft. 

Shale  8" 

Coal  y2" 

Shale  4" 

Coal  10" 

Altitude,  1010. 


In  a left  drain  opposite  the  higher  of  these  sections 
the  Haddix  coal  is  opened  with  1 foot  of  shale  roof  and 
then  2 feet  of  sandstone  on  33  inches  of  coal  at  altitude 
1,200.  Probably  more  coal  could  be  found  under  a thick 
parting  below,  but  the  top  of  the  Haddix  cliff  is  but 
about  5 feet  lower. 

The  Fire-clay  coal,  in  a roll  where  just  described, 
goes  under  the  creek  % mile  up  it. 

On  a right  branch,  1%  miles  up  the  creek,  % mile 
up  the  branch  to  its  right  branch  and  in  the  latter,  ys 
mile  up,  is  15  inches  of  coal  under  a foot  of  iron  ore 
and  then  shale.  This  coal,  probably  of  the  Hamlin  bed, 
is  at  altitude  1,140. 

On  the  same  right  branch,  y2  mile  up  it,  a pit  has 
been  sunk  into  the  same  coal  with  like  thickness  and 
altitude. 

On  the  left,  % mile  up  Big  branch,  5 feet  above  it, 
is  5 inches  of  coal,  probably  a part  of  the  Whitesburg 
bed,  under  10  feet  and  above  5 feet  of  shale.  Its  altitude 
is  975. 

On  the  right,  l1/^  miles  up  the  branch,  is  the  follow- 
ing coal,  5 feet  above  the  branch : 


Fire-clay  Coal. 


Sandy  shale  8 ft. 

Coal  9" 

Shale  22" 

Coal  , 13" 

Shale  5 ft. 


Altitude  of  coal,  1015. 


76 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


On  the  right,  iy2  miles  np,  this  coal,  at  branch  level, 
has  like  thickness,  but  with  parting  increased  to  2 y2  feet. 
Over  it  here  is  30  feet  of  shale  and  then  10  feet  of  sand- 
stone. 


Sand  Lick  Branch — On  the  right,  1 y2  miles  up  Big 
branch.  Altitude  of  mouth,  1,030. 

On  the  left  of  a right  branch,  with  mouth  at  altitude 
1,100,  % mile  up  Sand  Lick  branch,  % mile  up  the  right 
branch,  Rachel  Patrick  has  a four-yard  wet  entry  with 
the  following  section  at  its  mouth,  the  lower  foot  of  it 
not  seen : 


Haddix  Coal. 

Sandstone  r 5 ft. 


Coal  18" 

Shale  24" 

Coal  38" 


Altitude,  1250. 


On  a left  branch  of  Big  branch,  with  mouth  at  alti- 
tude, 1,080,  on  the  left,  % mile  up  the  left  branch,  is  a 
two-yard  entry  with  the  following  section,  and  possibly 
more  coal  under  its  floor : 


Haddix  Coal. 


Sandstone  4 ft. 

Coal  . 10" 

Clay  6" 

Coal  30" 


Altitude,  1205. 


Road  Branch — On  the  right,  2%  miles  up  Big 
branch.  Altitude  of  mouth,  1,110. 

On  the  left,  y±  mile  up  this  branch,  a foot  of  the 
Fire-clay  coal  is  in  outcrop  at  altitude  1,130. 

On  the  left  of  a right  branch,  % mile  up  Road  branch, 
y±  mile  up  the  right  branch,  James  Patrick  has  a two- 
yard  entry  with  the  following  bed  section  at  its  face : 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


77 


Flag  Coal. 


Sandstone  2 ft. 

Shale  2 ft. 

Coal  1 y2" 

Shale  y2" 

Coal  16" 

Shale  5" 

Hard  block  coal  18" 

Shale  12" 

Hard  block  coal  20" 

Altitude,  1430. 


On  the  left,  % mile  up  Road  branch,  the  Collins  heirs 
have  a prospect  into  the  Haddix  bed  giving  36  inches 
of  coal  under  5 feet  of  shale  and  then  4 feet  of  sand- 
stone, at  altitude  1,305. 

On  the  right,  at  the  head  of  the  branch,  % mile  up  it, 
an  unfinished  prospect  gives  the  following  section,  sub- 
ject to  correction: 


Flag  Coal. 

Sandstone. 


Coal  39" 

Clay  3" 

Coal  5" 

Shale  5" 

Coal  24" 


Altitude,  1445. 

On  the  right,  2%  miles  up  Big  branch,  a closed 
opening  gives  the  following : 

Fire-clay  Coal. 

Shale  2 ft. 

Jack-rock  4" 

Shale  8" 

Coal  1 to  2 ft. 

Altitude,  1125. 


The  jack-rock  is  not  the  flint-clay  of  the  usual  part- 
ing of  this  bed,  but  it  seems  quite  probable  that  it  is  a 
substitute  for  it  here.  A similar  substitution  where  it 
, actually  is  a parting  is  known  to  have  occurred  near 
the  head  of  Redbird  creek  in  Bell  county. 


78 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


The  widening  of  the  valley  above  Road  fork  seems 
to  indicate  a change  of  dip  of  strata  from  an  up-stream 
rise  below  the  fork  to  down-stream  rise  above  it,  and  this 
view  is  strengthened  by  the  heights  of  the  coals  found 
on  the  Right  fork. 


Right  Fork — On  the  right,  3%  miles  up  Big  creek. 
Altitude  of  mouth,  1,160. 

On  the  left  and  left  of  the  road  across  the  ridge, 
Vs  mile  up  the  fork,  Thomas  Terry  has  a long  entry  with 
the  following  bed  section  4 yards  in: 


Haddix  (?)  Coal. 

Sandstone  10  ft. 


Coal  1" 

Shale  1" 

Coal  7" 

Shale  9" 

Coal  about  26" 


Altitude,  1280. 


On  the  left  of  a left  drain,  ys  mile  up  it,  % mile  up 
the  right  fork,  Jabel  Richie  has  an  unfinished  covered 
prospect  into  the  Haddix  bed  said  to  have  36  inches  of 
coal  with  a six-inch  parting  6 inches  from  the  top.  Its 
altitude  is  1,285. 

An  outcrop  on  the  left  of  the  road,  y2  mile  up  the 
fork,  shows  10  inches  of  coal  on  a clay  floor  and  under 
4 feet  of  massive  sandstone.  This  seems  to  be  of  the 
Flag  bed  (with  possibly  more  coal  below  the  floor),  and 
is  at  altitude  1,390. 

The  high  gap  to  Montgomerv  branch  is  at  altitude 
1,490. 

On  a left  branch,  5%  miles  up  Balls  fork,  on  the 
left,  % mile  up  the  branch  (on  its  right  fork),  Hiram 
Richie  has  a ten-yard  entry  of  the  following  section,  the 
upper  parting  and  seam  of  coal  (not  mined)  measured 
at  the  mouth  of  the  entry,  the  rest  of  the  section  at  its 
face : 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


79 


Flag  Coal. 


Coal  6" 

Shale  1" 

Coal  9" 

Shale  5" 

Coal  18" 

Shale  11" 

Coal  18" 


Altitude,  1230. 

A ten-foot  sandstone  cliff  is  50  feet  above  the  coal. 
A small  bench  is  30  feet  and  a broad  one  60  feet  under 
the  coal,  the  latter  probably  a little  below  the  Hazard  bed. 

ZACH  BRANCH. 

On  the  left,  5%  miles  up  Balls  fork.  Altitude  of 
mouth,  930. 

On  a left  branch  of  Zach  branch,  % mile  up  it,  on 
the  left,  % mile  up  the  left  branch,  is  a twelve-yard  entry, 
with  the  following  section  at  its  mouth,  the  upper  part- 
ing and  coal  seam  not  mined : 


Flag  Coal, 

Earth. 

Coal  6" 

Shale  1" 

Coal  8" 

Bituminous  shale  5" 

Coal  20" 

Bituminous  shale  10" 

Coal  20" 

Altitude,  1250. 


On  a left  branch,  with  mouth  at  altitude  945,  6% 
miles  up  Balls  fork,  on  the  right,  % mile  up  the  branch, 
is  a four-yard  entry  having  25  to  28  inches  of  coal  under 
4 feet  of  sandstone.  This  is  of  the  Haddix  bed,  at  alti- 
tude, 1,130. 

RATTLESNAKE  BRANCH.  ~ 

On  the  left,  8 miles  up  Balls  fork.  Altitude  of  mouth, 

955. 


80 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


On  the  left  at  stream  level,  % mile  up  (on  the  left 
fork),  is  29  inches  or  more  of  Hacldix  coal  under  2 feet 
of  sandstone  containing  two  thin  seams  of  coal  and  at 
altitude  1,110. 

On  the  left  of  a left  branch,  11  miles  up,  and  on  the 
left  of  the  road  to  Buckliorn  creek,  Bud  Dobson  has  a 
thirty-yard  entry  of  the  following  section,  the  lower  34 
inches  of  coal  and  the  parting  measured  at  the  face,  the 
remainder  (not  mined)  at  the  mouth  of  the  entry: 

Flag  Coal. 


Earth. 

Shale  6" 

Coal  and  shale  2 ft. 

Shale  7" 

Coal  . ..18" 

Hard  clay  with  coal..  5" 

Soft  clay  5" 

Coal  16" 

Clay. 

Altitude,  1300. 


In  the  entry  the  coal  rises  northward  at.  a rate  of 
nearly  10%,  but,  though  cliffs  along  the  branch  indicate 
the  same,  this  condition  cannot  extend  far.  On  the  hill 
below  the  entry  is  a forty-foot  broken  cliff  at  altitude 
1,230,  under  which  must  lie  the  Hazard  bed.  A bench 
at  altitude  1,171-  indicates  the  location  of  the  Iladdix  bed. 


LAUREL  CREEK. 

On  the  right,  11%  miles  up  Balls  fork.  Altitude  of 
mouth,  1,010. 

On  the  left,  1 mile  up,  rising  from  the  creek,  at  alti- 
tude 1,105,  is  40  feet  of  shale,  close  below  which  should 
be  the  Hamlin  bed. 

On  the  right,  1%  miles  up,  the  Haddix  cliff,  10  to  15 
feet  high,  is  easily  recognized,  with  its  base  estimated 
at  1,185. 

On  the  left,  1%  miles  up,  an  abandoned  entry,  under 
4 feet  of  shale  and  then  4 feet  of  alternating  sandstone 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


81 


and  shale,  shows  the  Haddix  bed  to  be  some  3 feet  thick. 
Its  altitude  is  1,205. 

On  a left  branch,  2 miles  up  the  creek,  with  altitude 
of  month  1,150,  on  the  left  % mile  up  the  branch,  W.  F. 
Gearheart  has  a partly  closed  opening*  into  the  Haddix 
bed  at  altitude  1,230.  About  1%  feet  of  coal  is  in  sight, 
with  probably  a foot  more  under  water.  The  coal  is 
covered  by  1%  feet  of  shale  and  then  10  feet  of  sandstone. 


HARD  BRANCH. 

On  the  right,  12%  miles  up  Balls  fork.  Altitude  of 
mouth,  1,020. 

At  a right  branch,  % mile  up  Hard  branch,  and 
% mile  up  the  right  branch,  J.  S.  Combs  lias  a six-yard 
partly  closed  entry  into  the  Haddix  bed,  at  altitude  1,200, 
having  somewhat  over  2 feet  of  coal  under  2 feet  of  shaly 
sandstone  and  then  3 feet  of  massive  sandstone. 

On  the  right,  13%  miles  up  Balls  fork,  Peyton  Richie 
has  a five-yard  entry  with  the  following  bed  section  at 
its  face : 


Flag  Coal. 

Shale  15  ft. 

Coal  8" 

Bituminous  shale  8" 

Coal  21" 

Shale  ...12" 

Coal  11" 

Clay  10" 

Altitude,  1350. 


OLD  TRACE  BRANCH. 

On  the  left,  13%  miles  up  Balls  fork.  Altitude  of 
mouth,  1,030. 

On  the  right  of  a right  branch,  1%  miles  up  Old 
Trace,  on  the  right,  % mile  up  the  right  branch,  William 
Messer  has  a ten-yard  entry  with  the  following  section, 
the  coal  measured  at  the  face  of  the  entry: 


82 


North  Pork  of  Kentucky  River 


Hazard  Coal.  (?) 


• Shale  v 3 ft. 

Clay  1 1/2  ft. 

Shale  3 % ft. 

Coal  52" 

Covered  2 ft. 

Massive  sandstone  ....  3 ft. 
Altitude,  1360. 


The  high  gap  at  the  head  of  this  right  branch  is  at 
altitude  1,475. 

A gray  limestone  about  6 inches  thick  shows  in  this 
branch,  % mile  up  it,  at  altitude  1,135. 

OLDHOUSE  BRANCH. 

On  the  right,  13%  miles  up  Balls  fork.  Altitude  of 
mouth,  1,030. 

On  the  right,  % mile  up  this  branch,  James  M. 
Grigsby  has  a twelve-yard  entry  with  the  following  bed 
section  at  its  face : 


Haddix  Coal. 

Massive  sandstone  ....5  ft. 
Shaly  sandstone, 

(“Draw  slate”)  ....  6" 

Shale  with  coal  2" 

Coal  28" 

Shale  7" 

Coal  9" 

Hard  black  shale  3 to  4" 
Altitude,  1230. 


A foot  of  coal  is  reported  under  the  floor  of  the  entry 
and  another  bed  (the  Young  coal)  30  feet  above  it. 

On  the  left  of  Ball  fork,  opposite  the  mouth  of  Old- 
house  branch,  a black,  slaty,  fossil  limestone  lies  at  alti- 
tude, 1,080.  The  Fire-clay  coal  should  be  here,  about  at 
the  level  of  the  creek — 1,030. 

TRACE  BRANCH. 

On  the  right  at  Vest,  13%  miles  up  Balls  fork.  Alti- 
tude of  mouth,  1,035. 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


83 


In  a right  hollow  y4  mile  up  Trace  branch,  on  the 
left,  % mile  up  the  hollow,  is  a ten-yard  entry  with  the 
following  bed  section  1 yard  in : 

Haddix  Coal- 


Sandstone  2 ft. 

Clay  1" 

Coal  24" 

Bituminous  shale  3" 

Coal  6" 

Altitude,  1255. 


On  a right  branch,  with  mouth  at  altitude  1,100,  1 
mile  up  Trace  branch,  on  the  left,  % mile  up  the  branch, 
Joseph  Sutton  has  a four-yard  entry  into  the  Haddix 
bed  at  altitude  1,250,  with  28  inches  of  coal  at  its  face. 
Under  this  coal  is  5 inches  of  black  shale  and  then  5 
inches  or  more  coal  (in  water).  Two  feet  of  massive 
sandstone  covers  the  bed.  A bench  probably  of  the 
Young  coal  shows  above  the  entry  at  altitude  1,280. 

In  Trace  branch,  1 mile  up,  is  8 inches  of  shale  con- 
taining two  one-inch  seams  of  coal  of  the  Hamlin  bed, 
under  sandstone,  at  altitude  1,100. 

On  a right  branch,  with  mouth  at  altitude  1,150,  1V2 
miles  up  Trace  branch,  on  the  right,  y4  mile  up  the  right 
branch,  Daniel  Fugate  has  a twelve-yard  entry  into  the 
Haddix  coal,  25  inches  thick  at  the  mouth,  22  inches  at 
the  face.  This  lies  upon  1 foot  of  clay,  is  covered  by 
3 feet  of  massive  sandstone  and  is  at  altitude  1,275. 

On  the  right,  1%  miles  up  Trace  branch,  a prospect 
gives  the  following: 


Francis  Coal. 


Earth. 

Coal  stain  4" 

Shale  8" 

Coal  4" 

Shale  5" 

Coal  5" 

Shale  8" 

Coal  18" 

Shale  16" 

Coal  11" 


Altitude,  1460. 


84 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


On  the  right*  % niile  from  the  gap,  on  a broad  bench 
on  top  of  the  ridge,  a pit  has  been  dug,  through  3 feet 
of  shale,  into  a coal  bed  4 feet  or  more  thick,  in  which 
3 feet  of  coal  was  seen.  Probably  considerably  thicker 
coal  would  be  found  under  solid  cover.  The  altitude  is 
1,585.  This  is  of  the  Hindman  bed,  the  bench  of  the 
Francis  bed  showing  at  altitude  1,510. 

POND  BRANCH. 

On  the  right,  14%  miles  up  Balls  fork.  Altitude  of 
mouth,  1,045. 

In  a left  hollow,  % mile  up  the  branch,  at  the  head, 
% mile  up  the  hollow,  Lewis  Evans  has  an  eight -yard 
wet  entry  with  the  following  section  at  its  mouth : 


Flag  Coal. 


Shale  

12 

Coal  

6 

Shale  

3' 

Coal  

5 

Shale  

8' 

Coal  

18 

Shale  

13; 

Coal  

Altitude,  1365. 

18' 

On  a left  branch,  % mile  up  Pond  branch,  on  the 
right  % mile  up  the  left  branch,  John  Ooten  has  a four- 
yard  entry  with  the  following  section  at  its  mouth: 


Haddix  Coal. 


Sandstone  8 ft. 

Coal  4" 

Shale  (with  coal)  6" 

Coal  22" 

Altitude,  1255. 


In  a right  hollow,  % mile  up  Pond  branch,  on  the 
left,  % mile  up  it,  John  Ooten  has  a prospect  with  the 
following  section : 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


85 


Haddix  Coal. 


Sandstone  4 ft. 

Black  shale  with 

concretions  2 yz  ft. 

Coal  2" 

Shale  12" 

Coal  3" 

Shale  14" 

Coal  3" 

Shale  8" 

Coal  7" 

Shale  3" 

Coal  possibly  24" 

Altitude,  1250. 


Comparing  this  with  the  preceding  section  it  is  plain 
that  the  lower  3 feet  and  cap-rock  are  about  the  same  in 
each.  A flag-stone  quarry  is  below  the  latter  opening,  at 
altitude  1,240.  The  base  of  a tower  rock  30  feet  high  is 
at  altitude  1,555,  and  peaks  rise  to  a height  of  about 
1,630.  The  Hindman  coal  should  be  at  about  altitude 
1,510. 

On  a right  branch,  with  mouth  at  altitude  1,145,  % 
mile  up  Pond  branch,  on  the  left,  % mile  up  the  right 
branch,  Rebecca  Terry  has  a four-yard  entry  with  the 
following  section  at  its  mouth : 

Francis  Coal. 


Shaly  sandstone  2 ft. 

Shale  iy2  ft. 

Coal  6" 

Shale  2V2  ft. 

Coal  6" 

Shale  11" 

Coal  3" 

Shale  4" 

Coal  8" 

Shale  5" 

Coal  18" 

Black  slate  8" 

Shale  8" 

Coal  13" 

Altitude,  1460. 


86 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  Biver 


On  the  left,- 1 mile  up  Pond  branch,  on  the  left  of  a 
left  drain  and  of  the  trail  to  the  top  of  the  hill,  Bud  Terry 
has  a twelve-yard  entry  with  the  following  section  at 
its  face: 


Haddix  Coal. 


Sandstone  3 ft. 

Shaly  sandstone  1 ft. 

Sandstone  4 ft. 

Coal  4" 

Shale  8" 

Coal  4" 

Cannel  coal  6" 

Shale  7" 

Coal  .....18" 

Altitude,  1290. 


On  the  left  of  the  branch  and  right  of  the  trail,  1 % 
miles  up,  a prospect  gives  the  following: 


Haddix  Coal. 


Sandstone  4 ft. 

Coal  3" 

Shale  3" 

Coal  7" 

Shale  6" 

Coal  18" 


Altitude,  1315. 

The  cannel  of  the  preceding  entry  is  here  a hard 
block  coal. 

The  high  gap  at  the  head  of  the  branch  is  at  altitude 
1,565,  about  the  level  of  the  Hindman  coal.  A bench 
at  altitude  1,615  near  the  top  of  the  ridge  indicates  a still 
higher  bed. 


KNOB  BOTTOM  BRANCH. 

On  the  left,  15  miles  up  Balls  fork.  Altitude  of  mouth, 
1,050. 

In  this  branch,  y2  mile  up  it,  is  the  following  expos- 
ure, with  measures  approximate: 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


87 


Fire-clay  Coal  Rider.  (?) 


Thick  shale. 

Black  shale  6" 

Fossil  limestone  2" 

Black  shale  6" 

Coal  2" 

Black  slate  4" 

Altitude,  1140. 


On  the  right  of  the  branch  and  left  of  the  road,  1% 
miles  up,  an  eight-yard  entry  gives  the  following  bed 
section  half  way  in : 

Flag  Coal. 


Sandstone  5 ft. 

Coal  6" 

Shale  , 7" 

Coal  18" 

Black  slate  7" 

Shale  5" 

Coal  13" 


Altitude,  1380. 

A thirty-foot  cliff  over  the  entry  is  at  altitude  1,410. 
The  correlation  assumed  for  this  opening  is  based  only 
on  its  section  and  height,  which  might  serve  also  to 
identify  it  as  of  the  Francis  bed. 

On  the  right,  15%  miles  up  Balls  fork,  Elliannon 
Gearhart  has  a closed  entry  into  the  Haddix  bed  at  alti- 
tude 1,230. 

Above  the  preceding  opening  he  has  a twelve-yard 
entry  with  the  following  bed  section  at  its  face : 


Flag  Coal. 

Shale  10  ft. 

Shaly  sandstone  2 ft. 

Clay  shale  3 ft. 

Coal  5" 

Shale  3" 

Coal  8" 

Shale  5" 

Coal  18" 

Shale  (with  coal)  13" 

Coal  17" 

Altitude,  1350. 


88 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


GARDEN  BRANCH. 

On  the  left,  15%  miles  up  Balls  fork.  Altitude  of 
mouth,  1,055. 

On  the  left,  % mile  up  this  branch,  a closed  entry 
shows  the  Flag  bed,  at  altitude  1,365,  to  have  about  5 
feet  thickness  and  to  include  some  black  slate.  Over  the 
bed  is  5 feet  of  shale,  then  2 feet  of  sandstone,  and  40 
feet  higher  is  a fifty-foot  cliff. 


SAND  LICK  BRANCH. 

On  the  right,  15%  miles  up  Balls  fork.  Altitude  of 
mouth,  1,060. 

On  the  right,  1%  miles  up  this  branch  is  an  opening 
with  the  following  section : 


Haddix  Coal. 


Massive  sandstone  ....  8 ft. 

Shaly  sandstone  2" 

Coal  5" 

Clay  6" 

Coal  2" 

Slaty  cannel  coal  6" 

Black  slate  and 

shale 15" 

Coal  22" 

Altitude,  1265. 


On  the  right,  1%  miles  up  the  branch,  is  a closed 
entry  into  the  same  bed  at  altitude  1,290. 

A spring  above  the  preceding  entry  appears  to  indi- 
cate a coal  bed  at  altitude  1,390,  about  the  height  of  the 
Flag  coal. 

Still  higher  on  the  hill  Lewis  Gearlieart  has  a four- 
yard  entry  with  the  following  bed  section : 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


89 


Francis  Coal. 


Sandstone  5 ft. 

Covered  15  ft. 

Clay  1 ft. 

Coal  5" 

Shale  6" 

Coal  14" 

Shale  4" 

Coal  2" 

Shale  6" 

Coal  11" 


Altitude,  1175. 

The  similarity  of  the  sections  of  the  Flag*  and 
Francis  coals  on  Sand  Lick,  Pond  and  Trace  branches  is 
remarkable.  Comparing  these  with  the  sections  of  the 
Hazard  and  Flag  beds  on  the  head  of  Long  fork  of  Buck- 
horn  creek,  it  would  seem  that  the  correlation  of  the  two 
pairs  of  beds  was  justified,  but  it  lias  not  been  found  that 
such  correlation  would  answer  in  other  respects. 

On  the  left,  16  miles  up  Balls  fork,  William  Stewart 
has  a prospect  with  the  section  following : 


Flag  Coal. 

Clay  

Coal  

Shale  

Coal  ...... 

Shale  

Coal  

Black  slate  and 

shale  

Coal  

Altitude,  1385. 


. 5 ft. 
. 6" 

. 4" 

. 5" 

. 7" 
.22" 

.16" 

.16" 


STEWART  (TERRY)  FORK. 

On  the  right,  16  miles  up  Balls  fork.  Altitude  of 
mouth,  1,065. 


On  the  right,  % mile  up  the  fork,  William  Stewart 
has  a ten-yard  entry  with  the  following  bed  section  at 
its  face : ' 


90 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


Flag  Coal. 

Sandstone  4 ft. 

Covered  5 ft. 

Shale  5 ft. 

Coal  (2  thin  part- 
ings)   12" 

Shale  15" 

Coal  8" 

Black  slate  2" 

Shale  6" 

Coal  ; 15" 

Shale  14" 

Coal  16" 

Altitude,  1430. 


A broad  bench,  at  altitude  1,295,  under  the  entry, 
is  indicative  of  an  interval  of  about  130  feet  from  the 
Flag  to  the  Haddix  coal. 

In  the  fork,  1 mile  up  it,  coal  8 inches  thick,  in  mas- 
sive sandstone,  at  altitude  1,110,  is  about  at  the  level 
of  the  Fire-clay  coal. 

On  the  left,  % mile  up  a left  hollow,  16^  miles  up 
Balls  fork,  Martha  Gearhart  has  a closed  entry,  with 
4 feet  of  shale  covering,  in  which  1 y2  feet  of  coal  was 
seen  and  3 feet  reported.  It  is  of  the  Hazard  bed  at 
altitude  1,360  and  lies  about  30  feet  under  the  Flag  bed, 
opened  at  altitude  1,385  across  the  spur. 

On  the  left,  % mile  up  a left  hollow,  16%  miles  up 
Ball’s  fork,  Green  Bowling  has  a closed  entry  with  the 
following  section : 


Hazard  Coal. 

Sandstone  15  ft. 

Coal  about  5" 

Shale  1U  ft. 

Coal  (in  water)  1 ft.  or  more 

Altitude,  1370. 

A bench  40  feet  over  the  entry  indicates  the  place  of 
the  Flag  bed  to  be  at  altitude  about  1,420. 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


91 


At  the  head  of  a left  hollow,  17  miles  up  Balls  fork, 
Green  Bowling  has  a 12-yard  entry  with  the  following 
bed  section  at  its  face : 


Flag  Coal. 

Sandstone  6 ft. 

Shaly  sandstone  1 ft. 

Coal  5" 

Shale  4" 

Coal  4" 

Shale  5" 

Coal  12" 

Bituminous  shale  13" 

Coal  13" 

Altitude,  1445. 


A 20-foot  cliff  lies  40  feet  over  the  entry  and  benches 
are  plain  at  altitudes  1,435,  1,345  and  1,190,  from  which 
it  is  judged  that  coals  lie  at  about  the  following  altitudes : 


Flag  1445 

Hazard  1365 

Haddix  1295 

Hamlin  1195 


GEARHART  (MILL)  BRANCH. 

On  the  left,  17  miles  up  Balls  fork:  Altitude  of 
mouth,  1,080. 

On  the  right,  at  the  mouth  of  this  branch,  and  15 
feet  above  it,  15  feet  of  sandstone  is  exposed  with  30 
feet  of  shale  above  that, 

Conley  (Little)  Branch. — On  the  left,  Vs  mile  up 
Mill  branch;  Altitude  of  mouth,  1,085. 

At  this  branch,  % mile  up  it,  is  6 inches  of  coal 
under  3 feet  of  black  slate  and  then  15  feet  of  shale  at 
altitude  1,140,  possibly  the  rider  to  the  Fire  clay  coal. 

From  the  forks  of  the  branch,  1 mile  up  it,  with 
altitude  of  mouth  1,200,  on  the  left,  % mile  up  a left 
hollow,  John  Conley  has  a 12-yard  entry  with  the  fol- 
lowing bed  section  at  its  face : 


92 


- North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


Flag  Coal. 

Sandstone  2 ft. 

Shale  3 ft. 

Coal  6" 

Knife-edge  parting. 

Coal  5" 

Shale  4" 

Coal  2" 

Shale  6" 

Coal  , 22" 

Shale  12" 

Coal  18" 

Altitude,  1390. 


On  the  right  of  the  right  fork,  at  its  mouth,  a 2-yard 
entry  gives  the  following  bed  section  at  its  face : 


Flag  Coal. 

Massive  sandstone  ....  4 ft. 

Coal  4" 

Knife-edge  parting. 

Coal  4" 

Bituminous  shale  8" 

Coal  22" 

Shale,  Bituminous 

slate,  over  12" 

Coal  in  water  and  not  seen. 
Altitude,  1400. 


On  a left  branch,  % mile  up  Gearhart  branch,  on 
the  right,  % mile  up  the  left  branch,  a 12-yard  entry 
gives  the  following  bed  section  at  its  face: 


Flag  Coal. 

Massive  sandstone  ....  9 ft. 

Coal  10" 

Bituminous  shale  6" 

Coal  19" 

Bituminous  shale  12" 

Coal  15" 

Altitude,  1410. 


The  bench  of  the  Haddix  coal  is  seen  at  altitude 
1,275. 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


93 


On  the  left,  1%  miles  up  Gearhart  branch,  the  Haz- 
ard coal,  said  to  be  30  inches  thick,  lies  under  2 feet 
of  sandstone  and  20  feet  above  a cliff,  at  altitude  1,365. 

On  the  right,  Yl1/^  miles  up  Ball’s  fork,  Joseph  Pat- 
ten has  a five-yard  entry  with  the  following  bed  section 
at  its  face : 


Flag  Coal. 

Massive  sandstone  ....  6 ft. 

Coal  1" 

Knife-edge  parting. 

Coal  4" 

Shale  4" 

Coal  5" 

Bituminous  shale  6" 

Coal  .16" 

Bituminous  shale  13" 

Coal  12" 

Altitude,  1420. 


BUCK  BRANCH. 

On  the  left,  17%  miles  up  Balls  fork:  Altitude  of 
mouth,  1,090. 

On  the  left,  % mile  up  this  branch,  Allen  Gearhart 
has  a four-yard  entry  with  the  following  bed  section  at 
its  face : 


Flag  Coal. 

Shale  5 ft. 

Coal  3" 

Bituminous  shale  4" 

Clay  shale  4" 

Coal  13" 

Clay  shale  4" 

Coal  3" 

Clay  shale  18" 

Coal  (in  water) 

about  17" 

Altitude,  1375. 


In  the  branch,  % mile  up  it,  is  3 inches  of  coal  under 
4 inches  of  black  slate,  in  shale,  at  altitude  1,225,  probably 
a part  of  the  Haddix  bed. 


94 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


On  the  left,  % mile  up  the  branch,  William  Bowl- 
ing has  a two-yard  entry  with  the  following  bed  section : 


Flag  Coal. 

Shale  4 ft. 

Coal  3" 

Shale  10" 

Coal  11" 

Shale  ' 6" 

Coal  15" 

Bituminous  shale  14" 

Coal  (in  water) 

about  12" 

Altitude,  1415. 


WILEY  BRANCH. 

On  the  right,  18%  miles  up  Balls  fork:  Altitude  of 
mouth,  1,100. 

On  a right  branch,  % mile  up  Wiley  branch,  on 
the  right,  % mile  up  the  branch,  Elijah  Combs  has  a 
partly  closed  prospect  with  the  following  approximate 
section : 


Flag  Coal. 

Sandstone  15  ft. 

Shaly  sandstone  with 
coal  1 ft. 

Coal  1%  ft. 

Shale  v 3 ft. 

Coal  1 ft. 

Shale  ^ 1 ft. 

Coal  visible  (report- 
ed 3 feet) 1%  ft. 

Altitude,  1390. 

Under  the  preceding  is  a wholly  closed  prospect 
into  the  Hazard  coal  at  altitude  1,335,  reported  to  have 
about  33  inches  of  coal  with  a 2-inch  parting  near  the 
middle. 

On  the  left,  y2  mile  up  the  branch,  Bichard  Smith 
has  a wet  entry  with  the  following  section  at  its  mouth : 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


95 


Hazard  Coal. 


Massive  sandstone  ....  2 ft. 

Clay  5" 

Coal  15" 

Shale 11" 

Shale  and  coal  11" 

Altitude,  1415. 


Openings  into  the  Hazard  and  Flag  beds,  y2  mile 
above  the  mouth  of  Wiley  branch,  prove  this  of  the 
Hazard  bed,  notwithstanding  the  sharp  rise  it  involves 
from  the  Elijah.  Combs  openings  just  given. 

In  a left  hollow,  % mile  up  the  fork,  Grant  Moore 
has  a wet  entry  with  the  following  section  at  its  mouth: 

Hazard  Coal. 


Sandstone  5 ft. 

Coal  14" 

Shale  10" 

Coal  16" 


Altitude,  1415. 

Combs  Fork. — On  the  right,  % mile  up  Wiley 
branch:  Altitude  of  mouth,  1,125. 

Hurricane  branch  is  on  the  right,  % mile  up  Combs 
fork:  Altitude  of  mouth,  1,155. 

In  the  branch,  % mile  up  it,  is  a thin  coal  (so  far 
as  seen)  at  altitude  1,180.  This  is  either  of  the  Fire- 
clay coal  bed  or  its  rider. 

On  the  right,  *4  mile  up  the  branch,  Solomon  Sloane 
has  a one-yard  entry  with  the  following  section: 


Flag  Coal. 


Sandstone  

4 ft. 

Coal  

5" 

Shale  

16" 

Coal  10" 

to  12" 

Shale  with  coal 

16" 

Hard  block  coal  . 

17" 

Altitude,  1480. 

A 15-foot  cliff  is  above  the  entry  at  altitude  1,530. 

Georges  Branch. — On  the  right,  1 y8  miles  up  Wiley 
branch:  Altitude  of  mouth,  1,150. 


96 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


At  the  branch,  % mile  up  it,  is  a thin  coal  under 
1 foot  of  sandstone  and  with  15  feet  of  sandstone  10 
feet  above  it.  This,  at  altitude  1,235,  appears  to  be  of 
the  Fire-clay  coal  rider. 

On  the  left,  % mile  up  the  branch  (on  the  right 
fork)  Wes  Hicks  has  an  opening  with  the  following  sec- 
tion : 


Flag  Coal. 

Laminated  sand- 


stone   iy2  ft. 

Coal  5" 

Shale  with  coal 5" 

Coal  20" 

Hard  clay  with 

coal  15" 

Coal  20" 

Altitude,  1545. 


On  a left  branch  with  altitude  of  month,  1,200,  2 
miles  up  Wiley  branch,  at  the  head  of  a drain  % mile 
up  the  branch,  Benjamin  Terry  has  a six-yard  entry 
with  the  following  bed  section  two  yards  in : 

Francis  (?)  Coal. 


Shale  

3 ft. 

Coal  

11" 

Shale  

8" 

Coal  

18" 

Hard  clay  with 

coal  

15" 

Coal  (half  in  water). .14" 

Altitude,  1585. 

On  the  left  of  Wiley  branch,  at  the  road  2%  miles 
up  the  fork,  % mile  from  the  gap  to  Jones  fork,  John 
Smith  has  a four-yard  entry  with  the  following  bed  sec- 
tion at  its  face: 

Hazard  (?)  Coal. 


Laminated  sand- 
stone   3 ft. 

Coal  16" 

Hard  bone  coal  4" 

Coal  ? (in  water) 4" 

Altitude,  1440. 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


97 


It  is  quite  possible  that  there  is  more  coal  under 
the  floor  of  the  entry. 

The  altitude  of  the  gap  is  1,475. 

On  the  right,  18%  miles  up  Balls  fork,  John  L. 
Triplett  has  a two-yard  entry  with  the  following  bed 
section  half  way  in : 

Hazard  Coal. 


Sandstone  3 ft. 

Coal  12" 

Shale  2" 

Hard  block  coal  19" 

Altitude,  1400. 


Above  the  entry  he  has  a partly  closed  prospect 
into  the  Flag  coal  at  altitude  1,470.  The  bed  is  better 
shown  in  a prospect  on  Thomas  Triplett’s  land,  100 
yards  farther  up  stream,  where  it  has  the  following  bed 
section : 

Flag  Coal. 


Sandy  shale  4 ft. 

Coal  stain  5" 

Clay  

Coal  .1 11" 

Black  shale  8" 

Coal  5" 

Shale  18" 

Coal  16" 


Altitude,  1470. 

BOWLING  FORK. 

On  the  right,  18%  miles  up  Balls  fork:  Altitude  of 
mouth,  1,140. 

On  a left  branch,  with  mouth  at  altitude  1,250,  on 
the  right,  % mile  up  the  branch,  is  a sixteen-yard  entry 
with  the  following  bed  section  half  way  in: 

Hazard  Coal. 


Sandstone  5 ft. 

Clay  2" 

Coal  12" 

Shale  4" 

Coal  17" 


Altitude,  1405. 


K.  R.— 4. 


98 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


This  is  30  feet  above  its  bench. 

Across  the  divide,  % mile  north  of  the  gap  to  the 
head  of  Long  branch  of  Jones  fork  of  Beaver  creek, 
at  the  mouth  of  a long  wet  entry  is  the  following: 

Flag  Coal. 


Shale  5 ft. 

Coal  5" 

Shale  6" 

Coal  12" 

Shale  about  15" 

Coal  about  12" 


Altitude,  1510. 

LONG  FORK. 

On  the  left,  19%  miles  up  Balls  fork:  Altitude  of 
mouth,  1,200. 

On  the  right,  % mile  up  this  fork,  is  a covered  pros- 
pect on  the  broad  point  of  a spur  said  to  have  shown  44 
inches  of  coal  without  parting.  Black  shale  on  the 
dump,  which  may  have  been  mistaken  for  coal,  came 
from  a parting  probably.  The  coal  is  of  the  Flag  bed, 
at  altitude  1,420. 

LITTLE  BALL  FORK. 

On  the  left,  24  miles  up  Troublesome  creek:  Alti- 
tude of  mouth,  840. 

On  the  left  of  a right  hollow,  Jasper  Stacy  has  a 
sixteen-yard  entry,  % mile  from  the  creek,  with  the 
following  bed  section  10  yards  in : 

Hazard  Coal. 

Laminated  sand- 


stone   10  ft. 

Shaly  sandstone  4 ft. 

Coal  33" 

Shale  3" 

Coal  33" 

Altitude,  1245. 


The  bench  of  the  Haddix  coal  is  at  altitude  1,125 
and  the  stain  of  the  Hamlin  coal  shows  in  the  road  to 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


99 


the  entry  at  altitude  1,045.  At  altitude  945  is  the  bench 
of  the  Fire-clay  coal. 

PIGEON-ROOST  BRANCH. 

On  the  right,  24%  miles  up  Troublesome  creek : Alti- 
tude of  mouth,  845. 

On  a right  branch,  % mile  up  Pigeon-Roost  branch, 
on  the  left,  % mile  up  the  right  branch,  Lark  Smith  has 
a closed  ten-yard  entry  into  the  Hazard  bed  at  altitude 
1,250,  said  to  be  8 feet  thick,  but  showing  only  8 inches 
of  coal  on  10  inches  of  shale  at  the  top  of  the  bed.  (S.) 

COALSTONE  BRANCH. 

On  the  left,  % mile  up  Pigeon  Roost  branch,  alti- 
tude of  mouth,  905. 

At  the  mouth  of  Coalstone  branch  is  a seam  of  the 
Whitesburg  bed,  9 inches  of  coal  under  sandstone  at 
altitude  910. 

On  a left  branch,  % mile  up  Coalstone  branch,  on 
the  right,  % mile  up  the  left  branch,  Joseph  Stacy  has 
an  eight-yard  entry  with  the  following  bed  section,  the 
bottom  coal  measured  at  its  face : 


Hazard  Coal. 


Earth. 

Coal  and  shale  16" 

Coal  29" 

Clay  1" 

Sandstone  13" 

Shale  3" 

Coal  50" 


Altitude,  1255.  (S.) 

The  sandstone  parting  suggests  that  the  consider- 
able coal  above  is  of  the  Flag  bed:  A junction  of  the 
two  beds  is  believed  to  be  complete  at  one  point  on 
Balls  fork. 

On  the  left,  % mile  up  Pigeon-Roost  branch,  the 
Hazard  bed,  said  to  be  7 feet  thick,  is  at  altitude  1,280. 


100 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


At  the  head  of  a left  branch,  % mile  up  Pigeon- 
Roost  branch,  on  the  right,  % mile  up  the  left  branch, 
Elkanali  Stacy  has  an  entry  with  the  following  section : 

Hazard  Coal. 


Shale. 

Coal  34" 

Clay,  thin. 

Coal  53" 

Coal  (reported) 

about  12" 


Altitude,  1250.  (S.) 

RIGHT  FORK. 

On  the  right,  1 At  miles  up  the  branch:  Altitude  of 
mouth,  960. 

On  the  right,  y2  mile  up  this  fork,  James  Stacy  has 
a three-yard  entry  with  the  following  section  at  its 
mouth : 

Hazard  Coal. 

Shale. 


Coal  9" 

Shale  2" 

Coal  80" 


Altitude,  1230.  (S.) 

LEFT  FORK. 

On  the  left,  1%  miles  up  the  branch:  Altitude  of 
mouth,  960. 

On  the  left,  % mile  up  the  fork,  an  opening  gives 
the  Hazard  bed  at  altitude  1,270,  with  the  same  section 
as  the  preceding,  excepting  that  the  bottom  coal  is  only 
61  inches  thick.  (S.) 

On  a left  branch,  y2  mile  up  the  fork,  on  the  right, 
V|  mile  up  the  branch,  William  Smith  has  an  entry  with 
the  following  bed  section: 

Hazard  Coal. 


Shale  . 10  ft. 

Black  slate  4" 

Coal  52" 

Clay. 


Altitude,  1255.  (S.) 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


101 


On  a right  branch,  with  altitude  of  mouth  1,115,  1 
mile  up  the  fork,  on  the  right,  % mile  up  the  branch, 
Samuel  Bush  lias  a now  closed  entry  into  the  Flag  (or 
Francis)  coal  at  altitude  1,380,  showing  a bed  about  6 
feet  thick,  3 feet  visible,  under  6 feet  of  shale  and  then 
25  feet  of  sandstone. 

Coal  showing  in  the  road  to  this  entry  at  altitude 
1,190  is  of  the  Iladdix  bed. 

On  the  right,  1 ys  miles  up  the  left  fork,  Samuel 
Bush  lias  a five-yard  entry  with  the  following  bed  sec- 
tion at  the  face : 

Hazard  Coal. 

Earth, 

Coal  stain. 

Shale  5 ft. 

Coal  44" 

Altitude,  1280. 

The  coal  stain  above  the  entry  may  be  of  the  Flag 
bed,  thin  seams  of  coal  in  the  shale  covering  the  Hazard 
bed  being  uncommon  only  at  such  distance  from  the 
main  seam.  If  of  the  Flag  bed,  the  preceding  entry  at 
altitude  1,380  is  of  the  Francis  bed. 

On  the  left,  2 miles  up  the  fork,  William  Brewer 
has  a ten-yard  entry  into  the  Hazard  bed  at  altitude 
1,280,  with  47  inches  of  coal  at  the  face,  under  10  feet 
of  shale. 

A former  William  Brewer  entry  gave  the  follow- 
ing: 

Flag  Coal. 

Sandstone  and  shale.— 5 ft. 


Shale  5 ft. 

Coal  32" 

Hard  parting  with 

coal  6"  to  9" 

Shale  6" 

Coal  9" 

Shale  7" 

Coal  5" 


The  altitude  previously  obtained  is  1,270,  but  the 
opening  is  undoubtedly  above  the  one  preceding  this 


102 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


and  is  probably  the  now  Samuel  Bush  entry  at  altitude 
1,380. 

On  the  right,  25%  miles  up  Troublesome  creek,  the 
following  is  exposed : 

Whitesburg  Coal. 


Sandstone  15  ft. 

Coal  15" 

Shale,  thin. 

Sandstone  20  ft. 

Coal  3" 


Altitude  at  base,  850. 

COLES  BRANCH. 

On  the  left,  25%  miles  up  the  creek:  Altitude  of 
mouth,  850. 

On  the  left,  % mile  up  the  branch,  an  entry  gives  the 
following  bed  section : 


Hazard  Coal. 


Shale  

.10  ft. 

Coal  

. 5 ft. 

Clay  

. 2" 

Coal  

..  3 ft. 

Clay  

. 3 ft. 

Altitude,  1220. 

The  upper  2 feet  of  coal  is  not  mined.  The  3-foot 
seam,  excepting  the  lower  3 inches,  is  in  one  block  with 
4 inches  of  bony  coal  in  the  middle. 

On  the  right,  % mile  up  the  branch,  George  Combs 
lias  a five-yard  entry  with  the  following  section,  the 
upper  seam  of  coal  not  mined,  the  remainder  measured 
at  the  face  : 


Flag  Coal. 


Coal  

....27' 

Clay  

....  1 

Block  coal  

...14' 

Bituminous  shale  .. 

....15' 

Block  coal  

...24' 

Altitude,  1250. 

North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


103 


The  former  of  these  two  openings  is  on  a good 
bench,  the  latter  on  a long  smooth  slope.  Open  fields 
permit  a view  from  one  to  the  other  and  the  possibility 
was  evident  that  the  two  might  be  of  the  same  bed  in 
spite  of  their  differing  sections.  To  determine  this  the 
floor  of  the  Hazard  bed  was  penetrated  to  a depth  of  3 
feet  to  prove  that  it  was  not  a parting,  slipped  coal 
lower  down  beside  the  entry  indicating  that  possibility. 
In  further  proof,  following  the  bench  from  the  Hazard 
opening  down  stream,  % mile,  a wholly  closed  opening, 
reported  thick  coal  without  parting,  is  at  the  same  alti- 
tude, 1,220.  A further  following  of  the  bench  leads  to 
a break  in  it,  but  in  another  % mile,  one  appears  at 
altitude  1,210  and  an  opening  above  it,  reported  with 
a large  parting,  lies  at  altitude  1,225.  The  first  three 
openings  are  nearly  on  an  east  and  west  line,  the  last 
one  northwest  of  the  third,  down  the  general  dip  of 
strata.  The  two  intermediate  openings,  without  material 
partings,  are  therefore  considered  proven  to  be  about 
25  feet  below  the  other  two  which  have  several  partings. 


LAUREL  LICK  BRANCH. 

On  the  left,  2614  miles  up  the  creek:  Altitude  of 
mouth,  860. 

To  the  forks,  % mile  up  this  branch,  and  thence  on 
the  right,  % mile  up  the  right  fork,  Albert  Engle  has  a 
twenty-yard  entry  with  the  following  bed  section  half 
way  in,  only  the  main  seam  of  coal  mined : 


Hazard  Coal. 


Shale. 

Coal  about  18" 

Clay  1" 

Coal  about  12" 

Shale  about  4" 

Coal  68" 


Altitude,  1240.  (S.) 


On  the  left,  26%  miles  up  Troublesome  creek  is  the 
following  exposure : 


104 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


Whitesburg  Coal. 


Sandstone  20  ft. 

Shale  1 ft. 

Sandstone  1 ft. 

Black  slate  5" 

Coal  18" 


Altitude,  885.  (S.) 

An  inch  of  the  coal  one  foot  from  the  bottom  is  bone 

coal. 

On  a right  branch,  26%  miles  up  the  creek,  % mile 
up  the  branch,  Albert  Engle  has  a seven-yard  entry 
showing,  in  part,  the  following  bed  section: 

Hazard  Coal. 

Shale  2V2  ft. 

Coal  8" 

Shale  10" 

Coal  7 ft 

Altitude,  1245.  (S.) 

The  lower  1%  feet  was  not  seen. 

On  the  left,  27%  miles  up  the  creek,  the  Whitesburg 
bed  at  altitude  885,  is  exposed  with  section  similar  to  that 
a mile  down  stream,  but  with  a total  of  22  inches  coal. 

BEAR  BRANCH. 

On  the  left,  28  miles  up  the  creek : Altitude  of  mouth, 

875. 

On  a right  branch,  % mile  up  Bear  branch,  on  the 
left,  % mile  up  the  right  branch,  at  the  head  of  a drain, 
is  3 y2  feet  of  coal  under  10  feet  of  sandstone,  of  the 
Hazard  bed  at  altitude  1,275. 

COMBS  BRANCH. 

On  the  right,  29  miles  up  Troublesome  creek : Alti- 
tude of  mouth,  885. 

By  the  school  house  at  the  forks,  % mile  up  this 
branch,  the  Whitesburg  bed  lias  23  inches  of  coal  with 
black  slate  roof  under  50  feet  of  sandstone,  at  altitude 
905. 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


105 


RIGHT  FORK. 

On  tlie  right,  *4  mile  up  Combs  branch:  Altitude  of 
mouth,  905. 

On  the  left  of  a left  drain,  % mile  up  this  fork,  a 
long  entry  gives  the  following  bed  section,  8 yards  in : 


Hazard  Coal. 


Massive  sandstone  ....  5 ft. 

Shaly  sandstone  2 ft. 

Coal  : 1" 

Bituminous  shale  4" 

Coal  49" 

Altitude,  1265. 


Of  the  49  inches  coal,  the  top  9 inches  is  in  one 
block,  the  next  24  inches  is  soft  coal  and  the  bottom  16 
inches  hard. 

In  the  fork,  % mile  up  it,  is  5 inches  of  coal  under 
10  feet  of  dark  shale  and  then  10  feet  of  hard  sandstone. 
This  at  altitude  1,015,  is  probably  not  a continuous  bed, 
the  Fire-clay  coal  being,  most  likely,  on  top  of  the  hard 
sandstone.  Above  the  sandstone  soft  shales  are  exposed 
along  the  creek  through  most  of  the  interval  to  within 
20  to  30  feet  of  the  Haddix  coal,  under  which  is  the  usual 
hard  sandstone. 

On  the  right,  l1/^  miles  up  the  fork,  James  Stacy 
had  openings  from  one  of  which,  a prospect,  the  follow- 
ing was  taken : 


Haddix  Coal. 


Coal  16" 

Bituminous  shale  5" 

Coal  9" 

Shale  12" 

Coal  34" 

Altitude,  1140, 


On  the  left,  at  the  same  place,  Mr.  Stacy  has  an 
entry  with  the  following  bed  section : 


106 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


Hazard  Coal. 


Sandstone  4 ft. 

Slate  4" 

Shale  6" 

Coal  50" 


Altitude,  1250.  (S.) 

Two  feet  of  coal  in  the  middle  is  soft,  the  remain- 
der hard. 

Across  the  ridge  at  the  head  of  Combs  branch,  on 
Trace  fork  of  Lots  creek,  the  Haddix  coal  has  been 
opened  at  altitude  1,150,  the  Hazard  at  1,250  and  the 
Flag*  at  1,310.  No  allowance  for  dip  is  necessary  for  as- 
certaining intervals  here. 

LEFT  FORK. 

On  the  left,  % mile  up  Combs  branch:  Altitude  of 
mouth,  905. 

At  the  head  of  a left  drain,  y8  mile  up  the  fork, 
Martha  Cornett  has  a ten-yard  entry  with  the  following 
bed  section  at  its  face : 


Hazard  Coal. 


Sandstone. 

Shale  2V2  ft. 

Black  slate  2" 

Coal  2" 

Bituminous  shale  1" 

Coal  . 54" 


Altitude,  1285.  (S.) 

The  mouth  of  a right  branch,  y2  mile  up  the  left 
fork  is  at  altitude  940.  It  has  forks  y2  mile  up  it,  at  alti- 
tude 1,030. 

At  the  head  of  a right  branch,  ys  mile  up  the  right 
fork,  William  Engle  has  a five-yard  entry  into  the  Haz- 
ard bed  at  altitude  1,260,  with  50  inches  of  coal  (the 
lower  5 inches  in  water  and  not  seen)  under  5 feet  of 
sandstone.  (S.) 

The  left  fork  has  forks  V2  mile  up  it  at  altitude 
1,030.  Thence  to  the  head  of  the  right  fork,  % mile  up, 
where  Wade  Combs  has  a two-yard  entry  with  the  fol- 
lowing section: 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


107 


Flag  Coal. 


Shale. 

Coal  7" 

Shale  3" 

Coal  27" 

Hard  shale  17" 

Coal  12" 

Shale  1" 

Coal  about  13" 


Altitude,  1315.  (S.) 

Tlie  upper  18  inches  of  the  27-inch  coal  seam  is 
left  as  a roof.  In  an  adjacent  entry  the  upper  3-incli 
parting  is  absent.  The  partings  indicate  the  Flag  bed. 

At  the  mouth  of  a left  branch,  with  altitude  1,000, 
one  mile  up  the  main  left  fork,  is  exposed  a coal  4 to  9 
inches  thick  with  clay  covering  and  between  bituminous 
sandstones.  This,  at  altitude  1,005,  may  be  of  the  Fire- 
clay coal  bed. 

On  this  left  branch,  at  the  head  of  its  left  drain, 
% mile  up,  George  Fugate  has  a ten-yard  entry  into  the 
Hazard  bed,  at  altitude  1,320,  having,  at  its  mouth,  55 
inches  of  coal  under  shale  with  calcareous  concretions. 

(S.) 

At  the  mouth  of  a right  drain,  % mile  up  this  same 
left  branch,  is  2 feet  of  limestone  at  altitude  1,135. 

On  the  right,  at  the  head  of  this  drain,  J.  B. 
Stamper  has  an  eight-yard  entry  in  which  is  the  following 
bed  section : 


Hazard  Coal. 

Sandstone. 

Shale  2yz  ft. 

Coal  1" 

STiale  1" 

Coal  1" 

Shale  2" 

Coal  54" 

Altitude,  1310.  (S.) 

The  thin  seams  of  coal  and  clay  at  the  top  of  the 
bed  are  rather  typical  of  the  Hazard  coal. 

Hog-Wallow  branch  is  on  the  right,  1%  miles  up 
the  main  left  fork;  Altitude  of  mouth,  1,110. 


108 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


On  tlie  left,  % mile  up  the  branch,  Harvey  Owens 
has  a long  entry  in  which  is  the  following  section: 

Hazard  Coal. 


Sandstone. 

Coal  1 " 

Shale  6" 

Coal  52" 


Altitude,  1290.  (S.) 

On  the  right,  1%  miles  np  the  main  left  fork,  J.  B. 
Stamper  has  a four-yard  entry  giving  the  following  sec- 
tion : 


Hazard  Coal. 
Sandstone. 


Coal  1" 

Shale  8" 

Coal  52" 


Altitude,  1295.  (S  ) 


On  the  left,  29%  miles  np  Troublesome  creek,  15 
feet  above  it,  is  the  following  coal  with  attendant  expos- 
ure : 

Whitesburg  Coal. 


Sandstone  15  ft. 

Black  slate  9" 

Coal  24" 

Clay  1 ft. 

Sandstone  10  ft. 


Altitude,  905. 

The  coal  seems  to  be  of  poor  quality. 

At  the  head  of  a right  branch,  29%  miles  up  the 
creek,  C.  C.  Combs  has  a five-yard  entry  in  which  is  the 
following  bed  section : 


Hazard  Coal. 


Shale  2%  ft. 

Coal  (with  clay)  2" 

Coal  9" 

Shale  5" 

Coal  34" 

Altitude,  1300. 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


109 


On  tlie  right,  29%  miles  up  the  creek,  the  Whites- 
burg  bed,  in  an  entry  at  altitude  905,  has  about  28  inches 
of  coal  under  thin  black  slate  and  then  thick  sandstone. 

On  a right  branch,  29%  miles  up  the  creek,  in  a 
knob  at  the  head  of  a left  drain,  % mile  up  the  branch, 
Jerry  Combs  has  an  eigliteen-yard  entry  with  the  fol- 
lowing section  at  its  face : 

Hazard  Coal. 

Sandstone. 

Shale  1" 

Coal  57" 

Altitude,  1310.  (S.) 

TRACE  BRANCtl. 

On  the  left,  30%  miles  up  the  creek:  Altitude  of 
mouth,  900. 

On  the  right,  % mile  up  this  branch,  the  White sburg 
bed  has  about  15  inches  of  coal  at  altitude  920,  under  6 
inches  of  black  slate  and  then  5 feet  of  sandstone. 

On  a right  branch,  % mile  up,  on  the  right,  % mile 
up  the  right  branch,  the  Engle  heirs  have  a two-yard 
entry  with  the  following  bed  section  at  its  face : 


Hamlin  Coal. 


Shaly  sandstone  1 ft. 

Coal  10" 

Shale  4" 

Coal  2" 

Cannel  coal 24" 

Altitude,  1065. 


The  upper  half  of  the  10-inch  seam  is  slaty  and  the 
rest  bony.  The  upper  half  of  the  cannel  coal  appears 
good,  the  remainder  slaty.  A probably  thin  coal  is  ex- 
posed on  the  left  of  the  branch,  % mile  up,  at  altitude 
1,025. 

In  Trace  branch,  % mile  up  it,  is  6 inches  of  coal 
under  black  slate  at  altitude  1,010.  It  probably  repre- 
sents the  rider  to  the  Fire-clay  coal. 

On  a left  branch  at  this  point,  on  the  left,  % mile 
up  it,  Jordan  Combs  has  a twelve-yard  entry  into  the 


110 


North  Fork  or  Kentucky  River 


Hazard  coal  at  altitude  1,280.  The  bed  has  50  inches 
of  coal,  underlain  by  6 inches  of  clay  and  has  6 feet  of 
smooth  sandstone  covering.  What  appears  to  be  the 
main  bench  of  the  hill  is  at  altitude  1,225,  the  place  of 
the  Young  bed.  The  gap  to  the  head  of  Roaring  branch 
of  Balls  fork,  is  at  altitude  1,218. 

On  the  left,  30%  miles  up  Troublesome  creek,  the 
Wliitesburg  bed,  at  altitude  920,  shows  about  2 feet  of 
coal  under  1%  feet  of  shale  and  then  sandstone,  the 
usual  black  slate  roof  of  the  upper  seam  having  disap- 
peared. 


CLEAR  CREEK. 

On  the  right,  31%  miles  up  Troublesome  creek: 
Altitude  of  mouth,  910. 

SHOP  HOLLOW. 

On  the  left  at  the  mouth  of  Clear  creek : Altitude  of 
mouth,  910. 

On  the  left,  % mile  up  the  hollow,  the  Wliitesburg 
bed,  at  altitude  950,  lias  15  inches  of  coal  under  9 inches 
of  black  slate  and  then  sandstone. 

On  the  left  at  the  head  of  a right  drain,  % mile  up 
the  hollow,  Bayliss  Gearhart  has  a four-yard  entry  into 
the  Hazard  bed  at  altitude,  1,335,  with  52  inches  of  coal 
at  its  face,  one  inch  of  which,  in  the  middle,  is  bone  coal. 
Eight  feet  of  sandstone  forms  the  roof.  (S.) 

Right  Fork. — On  the  right,  % mile  up  the  hollow: 
Altitude  of  mouth,  1,025. 

At  the  head  of  a right  drain,  % mile  up  this  fork, 
B.  J.  Combs  has  a twelve-yard  entry  into  the  Hazard 
bed  at  altitude  1,330,  with  one  inch  more  coal  than  in 
the  preceding.  (S.) 

On  a right  branch,  % mile  up  Clear  creek,  at  the 
head  of  a left  drain,  % mile  up  the  branch,  an  opening 
into  the  Hazard  bed  at  altitude  1,305  gives  53  inches 
of  coal  under  sandstone.  (S.) 

A half  mile  up  Clear  creek,  the  W7hitesburg  bed,  at 
altitude  940,  and  10  feet  above  stream,  has  26  inches  of 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  Fiver 


111 


coal  under  9 inches  of  cannel  slate  and  then  sandstone. 
Fairly  good  cannel  coal  found  farther  up  in  the  stream 
bed  is  supposed  to  have  come  from  this  coal  bed,  but  no 
other  instance  is  known  of  the  Whitesburg  bed  having 
cannel  coal. 


LONG  BRANCH. 

On  the  left,  % mile  up  Clear  creek:  Altitude  of 
mouth,  935. 

The  mouth  of  the  right  fork,  one  mile  up  the  branch, 
is  at  altitude  1,185.  On  the  left  % mile  up  this  fork 
Alexander  Francis  has  a ten-yard  entry  in  the  Hazard 
bed  at  altitude  1,385,  with  50  inches  of  coal  at  the  face 
and  sandstone  roof.  (S.)  A mile  north  of  this  point  the 
Fire-clay  coal  is  at  altitude  1,005  and  the  Hazard  coal  at 
1,355. 

At  stream  level,  1 mile  up  Clear  creek,  the  Whites- 
burg bed,  under  one  foot  of  black  slate  and  then  sand- 
stone, has  9 inches  of  coal  at  altitude  940. 

COCKEREL  TRACE. 

On  the  right,  one  mile  up  Clear  creek:  Altitude  of 
mouth,  945. 

At  stream  bed,  % mile  up,  the  Whitesburg  bed 
shows  again,  under  iy2  feet  of  black  slate  and  then  sand- 
stone, with  6 inches  of  coal  at  altitude  980. 

On  a right  branch  of  Cockerel  Trace,  % mile  up  it 
and  with  mouth  at  altitude  1,000,  on  the  left,  % mile  up 
the  branch,  Benjamin  Richie  has  an  eight-yard  entry 
with  the  following  bed  section: 

Hazard  (?)  Coal. 


Sandstone  12  ft. 

Shale  1 ft. 

Coal  ...49" 

Shale  3" 

Coal  6" 

Shale  7" 

Coal  15" 

Shale  2" 

Coal  7" 


Altitude,  1365.  (S.) 


112 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


The  upper  foot  of  coal  is  left  as  a roof.  The  bot- 
tom block  of  the  49-inch  seam  is  splint  coal ; the  coal  be- 
tween the  upper  partings  is  said  to  be  poor  and  the 
bottom  block  best  of  all. 

On  the  left,  one  mile  up  Cockerel  Trace,  at  the 
mouth  of  Gearhart  fork,  15  feet  above  it,  is  a foot  of 
coal  and  shale,  probably  of  the  Fire-clay  coal  rider,  at 
altitude  1,115. 

On  the  right,  1%  miles  up  the  trace,  Joseph  Richie 
has  an  unfinished  prospect  showing  about  57  inches  of 
coal  under  one  foot  of  clay  and  then  5 feet  of  sandy 
shale,  at  altitude  1,385.  This  appears  to  be  of  the  same 
bed  as  the  preceding  with  the  upper  parting  gone  and 
possibly  more  coal  below. 

On  a right  branch  with  mouth  at  altitude  955,  1% 
miles  up  Clear  creek,  % mile  up  the  branch,  the  Richie 
heirs  have  a prospect  with  the  following  section: 

Hazard  Coal. 


Sandstone. 

Coal  and  shale  1" 

Shale  5" 

Coal  48" 


Altitude,  1345.  (S.) 

In  Clear  creek,  1 y2  miles  up  it,  is  a coal  of  the 
Whitesburg  bed  at  altitude  970. 

DICKS  BRANCH. 

On  the  right,  2%  miles  up  Clear  creek:  Altitude  of 
mouth,  1,015. 

On  this  branch.  y2  mile  up  it,  is  a coal  at  altitude 
1,065,  either  of  the  Fire-clay  coal  bed  or  near  to  it. 

Buzzards  Branch. — On  the  right,  1 mile  up  Dicks 
branch:  Altitude  of  mouth,  1,120. 

On  the  right,  y2  mile  up  this  branch,  coal,  under 
5 feet  of  shale,  is  at  altitude  1,240.  This  is  of  the  Had- 
dix  bed. 

On  a left  branch  with  mouth  at  altitude  1,140,  1% 
miles  up  Dicks  branch,  on  the  left,  % mile  up  the  left 
branch,  Joseph  Richie  has  a fifteen-yard  entry  into  the 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


113 


Hazard  bed  at  altitude  1,325,  having  62  inches  of  coal, 

5 yards  in.  Two  feet  of  shale  and  then  sandstone  cover 
the  coal. 

In  a left  drain  at  the  school  house,  1%  miles  up 
Dicks  branch,  Samuel  Smith  has  an  eighteen-yard  entry 
into  the  Hazard  bed  with  55  inches  of  coal  at  its  face,  at 
altitude  1,415.  The  roof  is  again  2 feet  of  shale,  with 
10  feet  of  sandstone  above  it. 

On  the  right,  at  the  head  of  the  branch,  2 miles  up 
it,  Mr.  Smith  has  another  entry,  10  yards  long  with  the 
same  thickness  of  coal  half  way  in  it,  and  the  same 
covering.  Its  altitude  is  1,385.  (S.) 

The  gap  to  Big  fork  of  Lots  creek,  is  at  altitude 
1,398.  By  the  road,  44  mile  down  Big  fork,  a six-yard 
entry,  not  heretofore  reported,  gives  the  same  bed  with 
59  inches  of  coal  half  way  in  a six-yard  entry,  at  alti- 
tude 1,400.  The  covering  is  like  that  of  the  preceding 
entry. 

On  the  right,  3 44  miles  up  Clear  creek,  10  feet  above 
it,  a seam  of  the  Whitesburg  bed  5 inches  thick,  under 
30  feet  of  sandstone,  is  at  altitude  1,055. 

On  the  left  branch  with  trail  to  Short  branch,  and 
with  mouth  at  altitude  1,035,  344  miles  up  Clear  creek, 
a prospect  on  the  right  of  branch  and  trail,  gives  a foot 
of  coal,  under  10  feet  of  sandstone,  with  possibly  more 
coal  beneath  the  floor.  This  is  of  the  Haddix  bed,  at 
altitude  1,300. 

On  the  left,  at  the  head  of  the  branch,  % mile  up  it, 
Edward  Richie  has  an  eight-yard  entry,  under  10  feet 
of  sandstone,  with  60  inches  of  coal  at  its  face.  This  is 
probably  of  the  Hazard  bed  and  is  at  altitude  1,410. 

On  the  dividing  ridge,  44  mile  to  the  left  of  a left 
branch  with  mouth  at  altitude  1,085,  4 miles  up  Clear 
creek  and  % mile  up  the  branch,  a closed  prospect,  into 
a bed  of  coal  supposed  to  be  4 feet  thick,  is  at  altitude 
1,545.  This  is  either  of  the  Francis  or  Hindman  bed. 

On  the  left  of  a right  branch,  444  miles  up  the 
creek,  William  Combs  has  an  eight-yard  entry  into  the 
Hazard  bed  at  altitude  1,385,  having  60  inches  of  coal 
at  its  face,  beneath  9 inches  of  slate  and  shale  and  then 
6 feet  of  sandstone.  (S.) 


114  North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 

On  a right  branch,  4%  miles  np  the  creek,  14  mile 
up  to  its  forks  and  on  the  left,  Vs  mile  up  the  left  fork, 
Cleveland  Combs  has  a ten-yard  entry  into  the  Hazard 
bed  at  altitude  1,395,  having  59  inches  of  coal  at  the 
fac'e,  under  3 feet  of  shale  and  then  sandstone.  (S.) 

On  a right  branch,  5%  miles  up  the  creek,  on  the 
left,  % mile  up  the  branch,  Jerry  Combs  has  a three- 
yard  entry  with  the  following  bed  section: 


Hazard  Coal. 


Sandstone  5 ft. 

Shale. 

Coal  12" 

Shale  1" 

Coal  43" 


Altitude,  1405.  (S.) 

On  a right  branch,  5%  miles  up  the  creek,  % mile 
up  the  branch,  and  on  the  left  of  the  left  fork,  William 
Combs  has  an  eight-yard  entry  with  the  following  bed 
section  at  its  face : 

Hazard  Coal. 


Sandstone  10  ft. 

Coal  - 13" 

Shale  3" 

Coal  44" 


Altitude,  1435.  (SO 

On  the  head  of  Clear  creek,  5%  miles  up  it,  David 
Richie  has  a five-yard  entry  into  the  Hazard  bed,  at 
altitude  1.455,  having  one  inch  more  coal  than  the  pre- 
ceding and  10  feet  more  sandstone  exposed. 

A bench  mark  in  the  gap  at  the  head  of  the  creek  is 
at  altitude  1,751. 

The  same  bed  with  similar  section  is  opened  on  the 
Lots  creek  side  of  the  dividing  ridge  here.* 


*In  a former  report  on  Lots  Creek  coals,  those  on  Clear  Fork  and 
branches  ascribed  to  the  Flag  bed  are  now  determined  to  be  of  the  Hazard 
bed,  through  knowledge  of  the  increased  interval  in  this  vicinity  between 
tbe  Haddix  and  Hazard  beds  and  of  the  series  of  openings  of  the  latter  on 
Clear  Creek. 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


115 


On  a left  branch  with  mouth  at  altitude  910,  31% 
miles  up  Troublesome  creek,  on  the  right,  % mile  up 
the  branch,  a closed  entry  shows  coal,  under  3 feet  of 
sandstone,  at  altitude  1,240.  This  is  of  the  Hazard  bed. 

(S.) 

Above  this  entry  Samuel  Combs  has  another  entry 
into  the  Flag  bed  at  altitude  1,295  with  over  4 feet  of 
coal  under  10  feet  of  shale.  (S.) 

On  a left  branch  with  mouth  at  altitude  915,  32 
miles  up  the  creek,  on  the  left,  % mile  up  the  branch, 
the  Whitesburg  bed  (or  Fire-clay  coal)  has  18  inches 
of  coal,  under  25  feet  of  sandstone,  at  altitude  965. 

On  the  left  at  the  head  of  this  branch,  % mile  up  it, 
Samuel  Combs  lias  a closed  entry  into  the  Hazard  bed, 
at  altitude  1,315,  having  54  inches  of  coal  under  sand- 
stone. 

On  the  left,  by  the  road,  33  miles  up  the  creek,  a 
stain  of  the  Fire-clay  coal,  under  sandstone,  is  at  alti- 
tude, 1,005. 

A right  branch,  33%  miles  up  the  creek,  has  at  its 
mouth  an  altitude  of  930. 

In  this  branch,  % mile  up  it,  is  2 inches  of  coal 
under  6 inches  of  limestone  and  upon  2 inches  of  slate. 
(S.)  This  is  probably  the  Fire-clay  coal  rider. 

A mile  up  this  branch  to  a branch  on  the  right,  on 
the  right  of  the  latter,  J.  R.  Combs  has  a closed  entry, 
into  the  Hazard  bed  at  altitude  1,380,  having  1%  feet  of 
shale  roof  under  sandstone  and  reported  to  have  55 
inches  of  coal,  including  2 inches  of  bone  coal  2 inches 
from  the  top. 

On  the  left,  34  miles  up  Troublesome  creek,  a seam 
of  the  Whitesburg  bed  shows  beneath  V/2  feet  of  black 
slate  and  then  10  feet  of  sandstone,  at  altitude  950. 
Above  this  exposure  a 7-inch  stain  of  coal,  probably  of 
the  Fire-clay  coal  rider,  is  at  altitude  1,040.  The  distance 
by  road  from  this  stain  to  the  coal  at  33  inches  up  the 
creek  is  hardly  % mile. 

On  the  left,  34%  miles  up  the  creek,  R.  L.  Morgan 
has  a two-yard  entry,  on  a small  bench,  into  the  Hazard 


116 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


coal  at  altitude  1,350  having  57  inches  of  coal  under  40 
feet  of  sandstone.  There  is  an  inch  of  bone  coal  a foot 
from  the  top. 

The  benches  on  this  hill  as  given  below  indicate  the 
approximate  position  of  the  several  coal  beds. 

A bench  at  altitude  1350,  Hazard  coal. 

A bench  at  altitude  1320,  Common  under  Hazard  coal. 

A bench  at  altitude  1140,  Hamlin  coal. 

A bench  at  altitude  1050,  Fire-clay  coal  or  rider. 

Troublesome  creek,  935. 

On  the  left,  34%  miles  up  the  creek,  one  seam  of 
the  Whitesburg  bed  has  5 inches  of  coal  with  a 9-inch 
parting,  beneath  7 inches  of  shale  and  then  10  feet  of 
sandstone. 

On  a left  branch,  3 4%  miles  up  the  creek,  by  the 
school  house,  an  abandoned  entry  gives  the  following 
section : 


Whitesburg  Coal. 
Sandstone. 


Shale  2 ft. 

Coal  4" 

Shale  5" 

Coal  2" 

Shale  4" 

Coal  over  12" 


Altitude,  960. 


The  lower  seam  of  coal  may  be  2 feet  thick  or  even 
a little  more. 


MONTGOMERY  CREEK. 

On  the  left,  34%  miles  up  Troublesome  creek : Alti- 
tude of  mouth,  945. 

On  the  right  of  Montgomery  creek  at  its  mouth  is 
a thin  coal  under  one  foot  of  shale  and  between  thick 
sandstones.  It  is  a lower  seam  of  the  Whitesburg  bed 
and  is  at  altitude  955.  This  coal,  apparently,  appears 
again  in  the  mouth  of  a left  branch,  altitude  975,  % 
mile  up  Montgomery  creek. 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


117 


On  this  left  branch,  on  the  right,  % mile  np  it,  is 
an  outcrop  of  a foot  or  more  of  coal  beneath  a foot  of 
black  slate  and  then  8 feet  of  sandstone.  It  is  the  upper 
seam  of  the  Whitesburg  bed  and  is  at  altitude  1,010. 

Above  the  preceding  outcrop  is  an  unfinished  pros- 
pect giving  the  following  section : 

Fire-clay  Coal. 


Shale  . 1 ft. 

Black  slate  2" 

Coal  1" 

Shale  3" 

Hard  splint  coal 

about  9" 

Coal  8" 

Altitude,  1060. 


The  coal  in  Montgomery  creek,  % mile  up  it?  goes 
below  drainage  at  the  mouth  of  a branch  1%  miles  up, 
giving  the  following  section  just  before  going  under: 

Whitesburg  Coal,  Second  Seam. 

Shale  5 ft. 

Coal  6" 

Clay  3" 

Coal  2" 

Clay  4" 

Coal  11" 

Altitude,  990. 

On  a right  branch  with  month  at  altitude  1,025,  two 
miles  up  Montgomery  branch,  in  a right  drain  at  the 
mouth  of  the  right  branch,  E.  H.  Gearhart  has  a five- 
yard  entry  with  the  following  bed  section  at  its  mouth : 

Hamlin  Coal. 


Shale  6 ft. 

Coal  17" 

Black  slate  4" 

Hard  splint  coal  4" 

Coal  6" 

Altitude,  1170. 


The  lower  part  of  the  shale  covering  is  sandy  and 
next  to  the  coal  a thin  layer  of  it  contains  fossil  shells. 


118 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


The  section  is  so  like  the  preceding  Fire-clay  coal  on 
Montgomery  creek  as  to  invite  their  correlation,  but  the 
lower  coals  as  well  as  the  benches  lying  nearly  level 
along  the  stream,  prove  it  otherwise. 

On  the  left,  2 miles  up  Montgomery  creek,  the  upper 
seam  of  the  Whitesburg  bed  lias  19  inches  of  coal  under 
3 feet  of  black  slate  and  then  5 feet  of  sandstone.  Its 
altitude  is  1,040.  The  bench  of  the  Fire-clay  coal  is 
about  50  feet  higher. 

On  a left  branch,  2%  miles  up  Montgomery  creek, 
on  the  right,  y8  mile  up  the  left  branch,  a one-yard  closed 
entry  still  shows  a coal  bed  about  3 feet  thick,  including 
two  partings  and  covered  by  4 feet  of  shale.  This  cover- 
ing seems  to  indicate  the  Fire-clay  coal,  but,  at  altitude 
1,080,  if  the  up-stream  rise  of  strata  continues,  it  must 
be  of  the  Whitesburg  bed. 

In  Montgomery  branch,  Sy^  miles  up,  the  same  bed 
was  opened  at  altitude  1,105. 

SHORT  BRANCH. 

On  the  right,  miles  up  Troublesome  creek : Alti- 
tude of  mouth,  950. 

The  following  sections  show  on  the  right,  % to  At 
mile  up  the  branch : 


Whitesburg  Coal. 


Shaly  sandstone. 

Black  slate  

....  2 ft. 

Coal  about  

....12" 

Clay  

....  1 ft. 

Shaly  sandstone  .. 

....  3 ft. 

Shale  

...15  ft. 

Sandstone,  thick. 

Altitude,  1015. 

Sandstone,  thick. 

Coal  

....  4" 

Shale  

....  7" 

Coal  

....  6" 

Shale  

....  2" 

Coal  

-.-(?) 

Altitude  965.  (S.) 

North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


119 


At  the  head  of  the  branch,  % mile  up  it,  D.  L.  Fuller 
has  an  eight-yard  entry  into  the  Hazard  bed,  under 
sandstone,  with  46  inches  of  coal  at  its  face  (S.)  Its 
altitude  is  1,425. 

On  the  left  of  the  road  and  of  Troublesome  creek, 
35%  miles  up  it,  J.  S.  Boggs  lias  a ten-yard  entry  with 
the  following  section  2 yards  in: 

Whitesburg  Coai,  Second  (?)  Seam. 

Sandstone. 


Coal  3" 

Shale  6" 

Coal  2" 

Shale  3" 

Coal  20" 

Clay  1" 

Coal  14" 


Altitude,  975. 


On  a left  branch,  36%  miles  up  the  creek,  on  the 
right,  % Hide  up  the  branch,  S.  E.  Boggs  has  a five-yard 
entry  with  the  following  section: 


Whitesburg  Coal,  Second  (?)  Seam. 

Shale  8 ft. 

Coal  4" 

Shale  7" 

Coal  2" 

Shale  5" 

Coal  22" 

Altitude,  975.  (S.) 

At  the  head  of  a right  drain,  36%  miles  up  the 
creek,  the  Hazard  bed  has  been  opened,  under  sandstone 
with  56  inches  of  coal,  at  altitude  1,455.  (S.) 

WALKER  BRANCH. 

On  the  right,  37%  miles  up  Troublesome  creek:  Alti- 
tude of  mouth,  970. 

On  the  left,  1%  miles  up  the  branch,  is  16  inches  of 
coal  under  8 feet  of  shale  and  then  sandstone.  (S.)  This, 
at  altitude  1,105,  is  probably  of  the  Fire-clay  coal. 


120 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


At  the  head  of  the  right  fork,  2 miles  from  the 
mouth  of  the  branch,  is  a thick  coal  bed,  possibly  7 feet, 
under  sandstone,  at  altitude  1,555.  This  is  either  of  the 
Francis  or  Hindman  bed. 

MILL  CREEK. 

On  the  right,  37%  miles  up  Troublesome  creek:  Alti- 
tude of  mouth,  975. 

On  the  right,  % mile  up  Mill  creek,  is  a prospect 
giving  the  following  section : 

Whitesburg  Coal. 


Black  shale. 

Coal  1" 

Clay  1" 

Coal  about  24" 

Shale  reported  about  12" 

Coal  6" 

Altitude,  1055.  (S.) 


On  a right  branch,  1%  miles  up  Mill  creek,  with 
mouth  at  altitude  1,095,  on  the  right,  % mile  up  the 
branch,  Andrew  Cornett  has  a five-yard  closed  entry 
with  27  inches  of  coal  under  2 y2  feet  of  shale  and  then 
10  feet  of  sandstone.  This,  at  altitude  1,320,  is  of  the 
Haddix  bed. 


BUCK  LICK  BRANCH. 

On  the  right,  1%  miles  up  Mill  creek:  Altitude  of 
mouth,  1,120. 

On  the  right,  % mile  up  the  branch,  a ten-yard  entry 
gives  the  following  section: 

Hazard  Coal. 

Sandstone. 


Coal  14" 

Shale  3" 

Coal  44" 


Altitude,  1465.  (S.) 

On  the  right,  1%  miles  up  Mill  creek,  is  5 inches  of 
coal  under  1 foot  of  black,  sandy  shale  and  then  thick 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


121 


shale  above.  (S.)  This,  at  altitude  1,140,  is  probably 
of  the  Fire-clay  coal  rider. 

BIG  BRANCH. 

On  the  right,  39%  miles  up  Troublesome  creek : Alti- 
tude of  mouth,  990. 

On  a right  branch,  % mile  up  Big  branch,  on  the 
left,  % mile  up  the  right  branch,  a ten-yard  entry,  under 
8 feet  of  sandstone,  has  at  its  face  19  inches  of  coal 
under  3 inches  of  slate,  the  latter  14  inches  thick  at  the 
mouth  of  the  entry.  (S.)  This,  at  altitude  1,130,  is 
probably  of  the  Fire-clay  coal. 

SWEET  GUM  BRANCH. 

On  the  left,  1 mile  up  Big  branch : Altitude  of  mouth, 

1,020. 

At  this  branch,  % mile  up  it,  is  exposed  the  folow- 
ing  section : 

Whitesburg  Coal,  Lower  Seams. 


Shaly  sandstone  8 ft. 

Coal  and  shale  3" 

Shale  1 ft. 

Sandstone  4 ft. 

Shale  6 ft. 

Coal  (?) 


Altitude  at  base,  1049.  (S.) 

On  the  right  of  a left  branch,  % mile  up  Sweet-gum 
branch,  at  the  mouth  of  the  former,  is  the  following  ex- 
posure of  a part  of  the  same  bed : 


Sandstone. 

Shale  7 ft. 

Coal  4" 

Shale  4" 

Coal  2" 

Shale  3" 

Coal  3" 

Shale  3" 

Coal  about  12” 


Altitude,  1050.  (S.) 


122 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  Fiver 


Above  the  preceding,  1 mile  up  Sweet-gum  branch, 
is  the  following  exposure  of  part  of  the  same  bed: 

Sandstone. 


Shale  8" 

Coal  2" 


Altitude,  1080.  (S.) 


On  the  right,  iy2  miles  up  Sweet-gum  branch,  Jef- 
ferson Cornett  has  a prospect  with  the  following  sec- 
tion : 


Fire-clay  Coal. 

Shale  10  ft. 

Coal  28" 

Flint  fire-clay 3 to  6" 

Altitude,  1135.  (S.) 

Either  the  upper  seam  of  the  Whitesburg  bed  or  the 
marker  under  the  Fire-clay  coal  shows  in  the  branch  at 
this  point,  about  1V2  feet  of  coal  under  sandstone  at  alti- 
tude 1,105. 

On  the  right,  2%  miles  up  the  branch,  Green  Cor- 
nett has  a ten-yard  entry  into  what  is  probably  the 
Francis  bed,  at  altitude  1,570,  having  at  the  face  38  inches 
of  coal  under  sandstone.  (S.) 

On  the  left,  1|4  miles  up  Big  branch,  M.  Nichols  has 
a prospect  with  the  following  section : 

Whitesburg  Coal,  Lower  Seam. 

Sandstone. 


Shale  1" 

Coal  4" 

Shale  5" 

Coal  2" 

Shale  3" 

Coal  2" 


Altitude,  1040.  (S.) 

A 2 y2  foot  seam  (the  upper  one  of  the  bed)  is  re- 
ported 30  feet  higher.  This  is  probably  shown,  2%  miles 
up  Big  branch,  where  more  than  a foot  of  coal  is  ex- 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


123 


posed  under  3 (?)  feet  of  shale  and  then  20  feet  of  sand- 
stone, its  altitude  being  1,100.  (S.) 

RIGHT  FORK. 

On  the  right,  3 miles  up  Big  branch:  Altitude  of 
mouth,  1,195. 

A quarter-mile  up  this  fork  is  coal  reported  to  have 
the  following  section : 


Haddix  Coal. 

Shale. 

Coal  3 ft. 

Shale  22" 

Coal  (?) 

Altitude,  1370. 

On  the  right,  at  the  head  of  the  fork,  % mile  up  it, 
N.  W.  Simpson  has  a three-yard  entry  into  the  Hazard 
coal  ( ?),  at  altitude  1,495,  having  45  inches  of  coal  under 
sandstone  roof. 

On  the  left,  39%  miles  up  Troublesome  creek,  Susan 
Cornett  has  a twenty-yard  entry  into  the  Fire-clay  coal 
(or  rider),  at  altitude  1,140,  having  about  33  inches  of 
coal  half  way  in.  A sandstone  with  uneven  bottom  covers 
the  bed  for  15  feet  up. 

OGDEN  BRANCH. 

On  the  left,  40%  miles  up  Troublesome  creek:  Alti- 
tude of  mouth,  995. 


BAKER  BRANCH. 

On  the  left,  % mile  up  Ogden  branch:  Altitude  of 
mouth,  1,015. 

Thin  seams  of  the  Whitesburg  bed  are  exposed  % 
mile  up  this  branch,  at  altitudes  1,055  and  1,080,  the 
latter  with  a parting. 

On  the  left,  one  mile  up  Ogden  branch,  is  the  fol- 
lowing exposure,  doubtless  of  the  same  seam  as  that 
just  given  on  Baker  branch : 


124 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


Whitesburg  Coal. 

Massive  sandstone  ....  5 ft. 

Coal  4" 

Shale  6" 

Coal  2" 

Altitude,  1060. 


At  Ogden  branch,  1%  miles  up  it,  the  Fire-clay  coal, 
or  a seam  near  it,  shows  at  altitude  1,110. 

In  the  road,  1%  miles  up  the  branch,  a coal  stain 
at  altitude  1,215,  is  of  the  Hamlin  bed. 

The  gap  to  Trace  branch,  at  the  head  of  Ogden 
branch,  2 % miles  up  it,  at  altitude  1,430  is  about  on  the 
level  of  the  Flag  bed.  The  ridge  on  either  side  of  the 
gap,  being  200  to  300  feet  higher,  gives  a good  area  of 
this  coal  accessible  from  Troublesome  creek  or  from 
Ralls  fork. 


PUSHBACK  BRANCH. 

On  the  right,  41%  miles  up  Troublesome  creek: 
Altitude  of  mouth,  1,005. 

On  the  left,  % mile  up  the  branch,  Bud  Newland  has 
a fifteen-yard  entry  with  27  inches  of  coal  at  the  face. 
Over  the  coal  is  6 inches  of  shale  and  then  10  feet  of 
sandstone.  This  is  of  the  Fire-clay  coal  at  altitude  1,140. 
(S.) 

On  a right  branch,  % mile  up  Pushback  branch, 
on  the  right,  % mile  up  the  right  branch,  the  same  coal 
is  possibly  2%  feet  thick,  under  shaly  sandstone  and  at 
altitude  1,140%  S.) 

On  a left  drain,  % mile  up  this  right  branch,  on  the 
left,  % mile  up  the  drain,  is  a ten-yard  entry  with  the 
folowing  bed  section  at  the  face  of  the  exposure: 

Fire-clay  Coal. 


Sandstone  5 ft. 

Coal  26" 

Clay  shale  2 ft. 

Sandstone  5 ft. 

Covered  15  ft. 

Sandstone  20  ft. 


Altitude,  1140.  (S.) 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


125 


On  tlie  left,  % mile  up  Pushback  branch,  Edward 
Richie  has  a five-yard  entry  into  the  Fire-clay  coal,  at 
altitude  1,140,  having  25  inches  of  coal  at  its  face  and 
lying  under  25  feet  of  sandstone. 

On  the  left,  % mile  up  this  branch,  is  the  following 
section : 


Whitesburg  Coal. 


Sandy  shale  12  ft. 

Coal  1 ' 

Shale  ti" 

Coal  3" 

Shale  . 6" 

Coal  3" 

Shale  7" 

Coal  (reported)  2 ft. 


Altitude,  1075.  (S.) 

On  a left  branch,  % mile  up  Pushback  branch,  on 
the  left,  y4  mile  up  the  left  branch,  Asa  Dickenson  has 
a five-yard  entry,  under  3 feet  of  sandstone,  with  27 
inches  of  coal  at  the  face.  It  is  of  the  Fire-clay  coal  at 
altitude  1,160.  (S.) 

On  the  left,  % mile  up  the  branch,  coal  of  the  Whites- 
burg bed  shows  at  altitude  1,110. 

On  the  left,  1 mile  up  the  branch,  the  Fire-clay  coal, 
under  sandstone,  shows  in  a closed  entry  somewhat  over 
2 feet  of  coal  at  altitude  1,165.  (S.) 

On  the  right,  41%  miles  up  Troublesome  creek, 
Joseph  Tignor  has  an  eight-yard  entry  into  the  Fire- 
clay coal,  under  10  feet  of  sandstone,  24  inches  thick  at 
the  mouth  of  the  entry.  Its  altitude  is  1,155.  (S.) 

A quarter-mile  up  a right  drain,  41%  miles  up  the 
creek,  a closed  entry  shows  over  2 feet  of  coal  under  10 
feet  of  sandstone.  This  is  of  the  Fire-clay  coal  at  alti- 
tude 1,155.  (S.) 

On  a left  branch,  41%  miles  up  the  creek,  on  the 
right,  % mile  up  the  branch,  a five-yard  wet  entry  has 
probably  over  2 feet  of  coal.  One  to  two  feet  of  shale 
intervenes  between  it  and  the  5 feet  of  sandstone  cover- 
ing. It  is  of  the  Fire-clay  coal  at  altitude  1,150.  (S.) 


126 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


On  the  right,  % mile  np  a right  drain,  42  miles  up 
the  creek,  is  said  to  be  over  2 feet  of  coal.  This  has  2 
feet  of  shale  between  it  and  the  covering  sandstone  and 
is  of  the  Fire-clay  coal  at  altitude  1,135.  (S.) 

CY  EVERIDGrE  (EDWARDS)  BRANCH. 

On  the  right,  421/4  miles  up  the  creek:  Altitude  of 
mouth,  1,010. 

A quarter-mile  up  to  a left  branch  and  %'  mile  up 
it,  on  the  right  of  its  left  fork,  Sarah  Everidge  has  a 
three-yard  entry  into  the  Fire-clay  coal  rider  at  altitude 
1,170,  having  24  inches  of  coal  under  10  feet  of  sand- 
stone. (S.) 

On  the  left,  % mile  up  Everidge  branch,  is  said  to 
be  2 feet  of  coal.  This  is  under  shale,  the  lower  2 feet 
of  it  black,  and  is  of  the  Fire-clay  coal  at  altitude  1,145. 
Over  this  coal  is  another  seam,  20  inches  thick,  under 
sandstone,  of  the  Fire-clay  coal  rider.  (S.) 

The  folowing  thicknesses  of  coals  are  reported  % 
to  % mile  UP  a right  drain,  42%  miles  up  the  creek: 

Hamlin  Coal. 

Sandstone. 

Coal  iy2  ft. 

Altitude,  1315. 


Fire-clay  Coal  Rider. 

Sandstone. 

Shale  6 ft. 

Coal  2 ft.  and  over 

Altitude,  1180. 

Fire-clay  Coal. 

Shale  10  ft. 

Black  shale  2 ft. 

Coal  with  2 partings..  2 ft.  and  over 

Altitude,  1160. 

Whitesburg  Coal. 

Shale. 

Coal  with  3 partings  3 ft. 

Altitude,  1100. 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


127 


HINDMAN. 

By  measurement  of  stream  on  map,  42%  miles  up 
Troublesome  creek:  Altitude  of  court  house  step,  1,032. 

The  number  of  thin  openings,  just  described  into  the 
Fire-clay  coal  and  its  rider  indicate  that  no  thick  coal 
has  been  found  convenient  to  the  town,  though  small 
areas  of  the  Hazard  and  Flag  beds  are  possible  near 
the  tops  of  the  hills.  The  Fire-clay  coal  is  about  140 
feet  above  the  creek  here,  and  the  Amburgy  coal,  as 
found  on  Right  fork,  2%  miles  above  Hindman,  is  about 
160  feet  below  that  bed.  The  Amburgy  bed  should  there- 
fore be  but  little  more  than  20  feet  below  the  creek,  and 
the  Elkliorn  bed,  4 feet  thick  on  Rockliouse  creek,  is  prob- 
ably about  200  feet  below  the  Amburgy  coal. 

On  the  right,  % mile  up  the  left  branch  back  of  the 
court  house,  is  a quarry  at  altitude  1,060,  of  sandstone 
of  exceptionally  fine  quality  in  10  feet  or  more  of  its 
thickness.  This  stone  is  light  gray  in  color,  with  medium 
size  grains,  without  cleavage  planes,  and,  while  com- 
paratively soft  when  freshly  quarried,  hardens  on  ex- 
posure. It  is  in  use  for  town  buildings,  and  other  quar- 
ries in  the  same  bed  up  the  two  forks  of  the  creek  fur- 
nish equally  good  building  stone. 


RIGHT  FORK. 

On  the  right  of  Troublesome  creek  at  Hindman: 
Altitude  of  mouth,  1,015. 

On  the  right,  % mile  up  the  fork,  Joseph  Childress 
has  a covered  five-yard  entry  with  the  following  approx- 
imate section: 


Whitesburg  Coal. 


Sandstone. 

Shale  

Coal  

Shale  

Coal  * 

Shale  

Coal  

Altitude,  1110.  (S.) 


. 8 ft. 
. 6" 

6" 

3" 

.18" 

(?) 


128 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


The  Fire-clay  coal  on  a former  visit  was  seen  in 
outcrop  with  black  shale  at  altitude  1,150. 

Still  higher  up  an  opening  gave  the  following  sec- 
tion : 

Fire-clay  Coal  Rider. 


Sandstone  10  ft. 

Shaly  sandstone  8" 

Black  shale  4" 

Coal  24" 

Altitude,  1175. 


A closed  entry  on  the  left,  % mile  up  the  fork,  at 
altitude  1,105,  is  of  the  Whitesburg  bed. 


BAKER  BRANCH. 

On  the  left,  % mile  up  Right  fork:  Altitude  of 
mouth,  1,020. 

Of  four  entries  on  the  right,  % to  % mile  up  this 
branch,  the  following,  belonging  to  IT.  C.  Francis,  a re- 
minder of  the  same  bed  of  coal  on  the  heads  of  Clear 
creek  and  Mill  branch,  gave  the  greatest  thickness  of  coal, 
measurement  taken  at  the  face  of  the  first  right  room: 

Hazard  Coal. 

Sandstone. 

Shale. 


Coal  13" 

Shale  1" 

Coal  34" 


Altitude,  1490.  (S.) 


The  least  measure  in  the  entries  was  41  inches  of  coal 
with  5 inches  parting. 

A sample  taken  on  a former  visit  from  the  Jasper 
Baker  entry  just  started  under  sandstone  roof,  includ- 
ing 42  inches  of  coal  from  the  two  seams  and  excluding 
a 5-inch  parting,  gave  the  following  results  on  analysis 
by  Dr.  R.  Peter: 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River  129 

Hazard  Coal. 

Laboratory  No.  2755. 

Moisture  1.44 

Volatile  combustible  matter  41.67 

Fixed  carbon  52.24 

Ash  (reddish  brown)  4.65 


100.00 

Sulphur  1.05 

Phosphorus  009 

Coke  (spongy)  56.89 

Total  carbon  79.33 

Specific  gravity  1.264 

B.  T.  U.  per  pound  of  coal 14,329 


“ Average  sample  of  clean-looking  coal.” 

On  the  left  of  a right  drain,  1%  miles  up  the  fork, 
is  23  inches  of  coal  under  sandstone.  At  altitude  1,195, 
it  is  probably  of  the  Fire-clay  coal  rider. 

PERKINS  BRANCH. 

On  the  right,  iy±  miles  up  Right  fork:  Altitude  of 
mouth,  1,035. 

On  the  right,  y8  mile  up  the  branch,  Henry  Mag- 
yard  has  a five-yard  wet  entry  with  the  following  bed 
section  at  its  mouth: 

Whitesburg  Coal. 


Sandstone  8 ft. 

Shale  2 ft. 

Coal  6" 

Shale  3" 

Coal  3" 

Shale  8" 

Coal  over  12" 


Altitude,  1130. 

On  a right  branch,  % mile  up  Perkins  branch,  on  the 
left,  % mile  up  the  right  branch,  Daniel  Hays  has  an 
eight-yard  entry,  under  5 feet  of  sandstone,  with  21 
inches  of  coal  at  its  face.  (S.)  This,  at  altitude  1,195, 
is  of  the  Fire-clay  coal. 

In  a left  drain,  % mile  up  Perkins  branch,  is  12 
inches  of  coal,  under  black  slate,  the  upper  seam  of  the 
Whitesburg  bed. 


k.  r.— 5. 


130 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


On  a left  branch,  y2  mile  up  Perkins  branch,  on  the 
left,  % mile  up  the  left  branch  and  on  its  right  fork, 
Jack  Sturgill  has  a ten-yard  entry  with  the  following 
section  at  its  mouth : 

Fire-clay  Coal  Rider. 


Sandstone  5 ft. 

Coal  26" 

Shale  6" 

Coal  11" 


Bituminous  shale. 

Altitude,  1235.  (S.) 

On  the  left,  % mile  up  Perkins  branch,  Albert  Mad- 
den lias  a ten-yard  entry  with  the  following  section  at 
its  mouth: 

Fire-clay  Coal  Rider. 


Sandstone. 

Coal  ..22" 

Clay,  knife-edge. 

Coal  1" 

Shale  4" 

Coal  4" 


Bituminous  shale. 

Altitude,  1225.  (S.) 

On  the  left,  iy2  miles  up  the  branch,  is  10  inches  of 
coal,  the  upper  seam  of  the  Whitesburg  bed,  under  2 
feet  of  black  slate  and  then  3 feet  of  shaly  sandstone. 
Its  altitude  is  1,150. 

On  the  right  of  a right  branch,  1 y2  miles  up  Per- 
kins branch,  % mile  up  the  right  branch,  Benjamin 
Everidge  has  an  eight-yard  entry  with  the  following  bed 
section  3 yards  in : 

Fire-clay  Coal. 


Sandstone  5 ft. 

Coal  26" 

Clay  1" 

Coal  5" 

Flint  fire-clay  5" 

Coal  7" 

Fire-clay. 


Altitude,  1190. 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


131 


In  Perkins  branch,  1%  miles  up  it,  appears  finally, 
the  Whitesburg  coal  under  black  slate,  at  altitude  1,170. 

On  the  right,  1%  miles  up  Perkins  branch,  a twelve- 
yard  entry  into  the  Fire-clay  coal  is  at  altitude  1,185. 

While  the  Fire-clay  coal  bed  shows  a slight  dip  up 
stream,  contrary  to  expectation  the  strata  as  seen  along 
the  branch,  appear  decidedly  to  rise.  This  may  be  a 
result  of  a lessening  interval,  going  up  the  branch,  be- 
tween the  several  seams  of  the  Whitesburg  bed  and  be- 
tween the  latter  and  the  Fire-clay  coal. 


CAVE  BRANCH. 

On  the  right,  1 % miles  up  Right  fork:  Altitude  of 
mouth,  1,040. 

On  the  left,  y2  mile  up  the  branch,  John  Fugate  has 
a fifteen-yard  entry  of  the  following  section,  the  good 
34  inches  of  coal  measured  5 yards  in : 


Fire-clay  Coal. 


Shaly  sandstone  3 ft. 

Shale  6 ft. 

Iron  ore y2” 

Shale  2 ft. 

Coal  27" 

Clay  1" 

Coal  7" 

Bone  coal  about 3" 

Hard  clay  about  3" 

Soft  clay. 

Altitude,  1215. 


The  hard  clay  at  the  bottom  of  the  section  probably 
represents  the  flint  fire-clay. 

From  a pit  in  the  branch,  % miles  up  it,  coal  of  the 
Whitesburg  bed  at  altitude  1,120,  lias  been  taken. 

On  the  left,  1 y2  miles  up  the  branch,  Joseph  Parley 
has  a ten-yard  entry  with  the  following  section  at  its 
mouth : 


132 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


Fire-clay  Gcal  Rider. 


Shale. 

Coal  1 " 

Clay  1" 

Coal  32" 

Black  slate  7" 

Shale  5" 

Coal  2" 


Altitude,  1205. 

Nearly  under  the  preceding  he  has  an  entry  with  the 
following  section  at  its  mouth : 

Fire-clay  Coal. 

Sandstone  6 ft. 

Coal  26" 

Clay  2" 

Bone  coal  4" 

Flint  fire-clay  6" 

Coal  7" 

Altitude,  1185. 

On  the  left,  1%  miles  up  the  branch  he  has  another 
entry,  8 yards  into  the  Fire-clay  coal,  at  altitude  1,185, 
under  5 feet  of  shale  and  with  no  variation  in  section 
more  than  an  inch. 

To  the  right  fork,  1%  miles  up  Cave  branch  and 
thence  on  the  right,  % mile  up  that  fork,  to  David  Col- 
ton’s closed  prospect  at  altitude  1,765,  said  to  have  7 
feet  of  coal,  under  shale.  This  is  of  the  Hindman  bed, 
and  is  in  the  same  peak,  probably  is  the  same  opening 
as  formerly  measured  and  found  approximately  116 
inches  thick  without  evident  parting,  the  land  said  to 
belong  to  Freeman  Parks. 

PARKS  BRANCH. 

On  the  left,  1%  miles  up  Right  fork:  Altitude  of 
mouth,  1,045. 

In  a right  drain,  % mile  up  the  branch,  Wiley  Parks 
has  a four-yard  entry  into  what  is  probably  the  Fire- 
clay coal,  having  32  inches  of  coal  at  its  face,  under  3 
feet  of  shale  and  at  altitude  1,225. 

On  the  right,  % mile  up  the  branch,  a prospect  gives 
the  following: 


North’ Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


133 


Whitesburg  Coal. 


Sandstone  15  ft. 

Coal  7" 

Shale  7" 

Coal  2" 

Shale  12" 

Coal  6" 

Shale  8" 

Coal  (?) 


Altitude,  1150.  (S.) 

On  a right  branch,  2 miles  np  Right  fork,  on  the 
left,  *4  mile  up  the  branch,  Wesley  Hays  has  a twenty- 
yard  entry  with  the  following  section  at  its  month : 

Fire-clay  Coal. 

Laminated  sandstone  1 ft. 


Shale  6" 

Iron  ore  %" 

Shale  12" 

Coal  28" 

Clay  1" 

Coal  11" 

Hard  clay  about  3" 

Clay. 

Altitude,  1225. 


The  % inch  iron  ore  alone  suffices  to  correlate  this 
opening  with  the  Fugate  opening  on  Cave  branch. 

On  a left  branch,  2%  miles  up  Right  fork,  on  the 
right,  % mile  up  the  branch,  Joseph  Pigman  has  a five- 
yard  entry  with  the  following  section  at  its  face: 

Fire-clay  Coal. 


Shaly  sandstone  2 ft. 

Shale. 

Coal  5" 

Shale  4" 

Coal  32" 

Shale  over  3" 

Altitude,  1215. 


Flint  fire-clay  is  questionably  reported  under  this 

coal. 


134 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


TRACE  FORK. 

On  the  right,  2%  miles  up  Right  fork:  Altitude  of 
mouth,  1,060. 

On  a left  drain,  % mile  up  Trace  fork,  on  the  right, 
% mile  up  the  drain,  Grant  Smith  has  a ten-yard  entry 
with  the  following  section  at  its  mouth : 


Fire-clay  Coal. 

Sandstone. 

Shale  4" 

Coal  31" 

Shale  4" 

Coal  3" 

Bone  coal  and  black 

slate  9" 

Altitude,  1240.  (S.) 


On  the  left,  % mile  up  Trace  fork,  A.  J.  Smith  has 
a two-yard  entry  with  the  following  section  at  its  face : 

Fire-clay  Coal. 

Sandstone. 


Shale  4" 

Sandstone  3" 

Shale  6" 

Coal  31" 


Altitude,  1235.  (S.) 

On  a right  branch,  % mile  up  Trace  fork,  y8  mile 
up  the  branch,  3 inches  of  coal  with  1 inch  parting,  of  a 
part  of  the  Whitesburg  bed,  under  6 feet  of  shale  is  at 
altitude  1,140. 

On  the  right,  % mile  up  this  branch,  Shade  Stacy 
has  a ten-yard  wet  entry  with  the  following  section  at 
its  mouth : 


Fire-clay  Coal. 

Sandstone. 

Shale  2 ft. 

Coal  28" 

Shale  . 3" 

Coal,  black  slate  and 

bone  coal  about 12" 

Altitude,  1215.  (S.) 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


135 


On  a left  branch,  1 Vs  miles  up  Trace  fork,  on  the 
left,  % mile  up  the  branch,  William  Mullins  has  an  eight- 
yard  entry  with  the  following  bed  section  at  its  face : 

Fire-clay  Coal. 

Sandstone. 

Shale  2y2  ft. 

Coal  31" 

Shale  y2" 

Altitude,  1240.  (S.) 

Bone  coal  and  slate  are  reported  under  the  coal. 
About  a foot  of  the  coal  near  the  bottom  is  splint  coal. 
Sulphur  bands  are  present. 

Right  Fork. — On  the  right,  1 y2  miles  up  Trace  fork : 
Altitude  of  mouth,  1,175. 

O11  the  left,  y8  mile  up  this  fork,  Randolph  Adams 
has  a ten-yard  entry  with  the  following  section  at  its 
mouth : 


Fire-clay  Coal. 


Shaly  sandstone  4 ft. 

Coal  29" 

Flint  fire-clay  4" 

Coal  7" 


Altitude,  1225.  (S.) 

Thin  coal,  under  sandstone,  in  the  road  up  this 
fork  to  Irishman  creek,  at  altitude  1,355,  is  of  the  Ham- 
lin bed. 

A flagstone  quarry,  beside  the  same  road,  in  30  feet 
of  sandstone  with  2 feet  of  limestone  10  feet  from  the 
bottom,  is  at  altitude  1,455.  The  Haddix  bed  lies  close 
above  this  sandstone,  which  is  almost  invariably  mas- 
sive, and  the  Hazard  bed  is  about  at  the  level  of  the 
gap  to  Irishman  creek:  Altitude,  1,550. 

Left  Fork. — On  the  left,  iy2  miles  up  Trace  fork: 
Altitude  of  mouth,  1,175. 

In  a left  drain,  y±  mile  up  this  fork,  is  the  follow- 
ing exposure : 


136 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


Hamlin  Coal. 

Shale. 

Coal  17" 

Bone  coal  and  black 

slate  6" 

Shale  10  ft. 

Coal  3" 

Shale  3" 

Coal  10" 

Altitude,  1350.  (S.) 

On  a right  branch,  % mile  up  this  left  fork,  on  the 
left  at  its  mouth,  an  exposure  of  coal,  under  shale,  at 
altitude  1,285,  is  probably  of  the  Fire-clay  coal  rider. 

On  the  right,  % mile  up  this  right  branch,  a fifteen- 
yard  entry  under  shaly  sandstone  has  58  inches  of  coal 
one-lialf  way  in  it,  and  is  at  altitude  1,650.  (S.)  A for- 
mer measure  of  probably  the  same  entry  at  its  mouth, 
gave  56  inches  of  coal  and  5 inches  of  black  slate  8 inches 
from  the  bottom.  It  is  of  the  Flag  bed. 

On  a right  branch,  2%  miles  up  Right  fork  of 
Troublesome,  on  the  right,  y2  mile  up  the  branch,  a three- 
yard  entry  has  the  following  section  at  its  mouth : 

Fire-clay  Coal. 


Shale  

4 ft. 

Coal  

6" 

Shale  

3 ft. 

Coal  

1" 

Shale  

27" 

Coal  

32" 

Altitude,  1225. 

On  the  left,  beside  the  road,  2%  miles  up  Right  fork, 
Mr.  Napier  has  a ten-yard  entry  with  the  following  sec- 
tion at  its  mouth,  the  lower  6 inches  of  coal  in  water: 

Amburgy  Coal. 


Shaly  sandstone  20  ft. 

Coal  35" 

Altitude,  1065. 


This  bed,  below  drainage  at  Hindman,  remains  above 
the  Right  fork  up  to  about  the  mouth  of  Sams  branch, 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


137 


4 miles  above  Hindman,  but  no  other  sign  of  its  exposure 
is  known  to  have  been  found  along  this  outcrop. 

SAW-PIT  BRANCH. 

On  the  left,  3 miles  up  Right  fork : Altitude  of  mouth, 
1,065. 

On  the  left,  % mile  up  the  branch,  E.  H.  Hammond 
has  a twenty-yard  entry  with  the  following  bed  section, 
half  way  in  it: 


Fire-clay  Coal. 

Sandstone  ... 5 ft. 

Shale  3" 

Coal  38" 

Fire-clay  IV2  ft. 

Altitude,  1230.  (S.) 

Flint  tire-clay  is.  questionably  reported  below  the 
common  tire-clay  floor  of  this  entry. 

A half  mile  to  the  forks  of  this  branch  and  on  the 
right,  y±  mile  up  the  right  fork,  a closed  entry,  under  5 
feet  of  sandstone,  shows  the  Fire-clay  coal,  probably,  to 
be  3 to  4 feet  thick.  Its  altitude  is  1,270.  (S.) 

CALHOUN  BRANCH. 

On  the  left,  3 y8  miles  up  Right  fork:  Altitude  of 
mouth,  1,070. 

On  the  left,  % mile  up  the  branch,  J.  Jones  has  a 
closed  entry  into  the  Fire-clay  coal  at  altitude  1,255. 

On  the  left  of  a right  drain,  3%  miles  up  Right 
fork,  the  Fire-clay  coal  is  28  inches  (hick,  under  214  feet 
of  shale  and  then  shalv  sandstone,  and  is  at  altitude 
1,245.  (S.) 

CY  BRANCH. 

On  the  left,  3%  miles  up  Right  fork:  Altitude  of 
mouth,  1,090. 

On  the  left,  % mile  up  the  branch,  a closed  entry 
gives  the  altitude  of  the  Fire-clay  coal  at  1,270.  On  the 
opposite  hillside  the  Hamlin  coal  is  at  altitude  1,370. 


138 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


SAMS  BRANCH. 

On  the  right,  4 miles  up  Right  fork:  Altitude  of 
mouth,  1,100. 

. On  a right  branch,  14  mile  up  Sams  branch,  on  the 
right,  14  mile  up  the  right  branch,  J.  M.  Pigman  has  a 
ten-yard  entry  with  the  following  section  at  its  mouth: 

Fire-clay  Coal. 

Shale  5 ft. 

Sandstone  y>  ft. 

Shale  ...  iy2  ft. 

Coal  2 ft. 

Altitude,  1250.  (S.) 

To  the  forks  of  the  branch,  % miles,  and  on  the  left, 
% mile  up  the  right  fork,  E.  Short  has  an  entry  showing 
something  over  2 feet  of  coal,  under  1%  feet  of  shale 
and  then  sandstone.  This  is  of  the  Fire-clay  coal  at 
altitude  1,240. 

On  a right  branch,  4%  miles  up  Right  fork  of 
Troublesome,  on  the  right,  % mile  up  the  branch,  N.  Craft 
has  a fifteen-yard  entry  with  the  following  section  at  its 
mouth : 


Fire-clay  Coal  Rider. 


Sandstone  5 ft. 

Shale  5 ft. 

Coal  1" 

Shale  2" 

Coal  31" 


Altitude,  1295.  (S.) 

REYNOLDS  (RUNNELLS)  FORK. 

O11  the  left,  4%  miles  up  Right  fork : Altitude  of 
mouth,  1,125. 

O11  a left  branch,  % mile  up  this  fork,  on  the  right, 
Vs  mile  up  the  branch,  William  Hodge  has  a closed  entry 
into  the  Fire-clay  coal  bed  under  shale  roof,  at  altitude 
1,250,  said  to  have  over  2 feet  of  coal. 

One  hundred  yards  farther  up  the  branch  the  fol- 
lowing section  is  exposed : 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


139 


Fire-clay  Coal  Rider. 

Shaly  sandstone. 


Shale  1 ft. 

Cannel  coal  1" 

Coal  29" 


Altitude,  1290.  (S.) 

On  the  left,  % mile  up  the  branch,  a ten-yard  wet 
entry  gives  the  following  at  its  mouth : 

Fire-clay  Coal  Rider. 


Sandstone  5 ft. 

Shale  1 ft. 

Coal  1" 

Shale  3" 

Coal  over  24" 


Altitude,  1315.  (S.) 

On  a left  branch,  y2  mile  up  Reynolds  fork,  on  the 
right,  % mile  up  the  branch,  W.  Reynolds  has  a twenty- 
five-yard  entry  with  the  following  bed  section  5 yards 
in : 

Fire-clay  Coal  Rider. 


Sandstone  3 ft. 

Shale  3" 

Black  slate  and  thin 

cannel  coal  1" 

Coal  25" 

Altitude,  1300.  (S.) 


On  a left  branch,  % mile  up  Reynolds  fork,  on  the 
left,  ys  mile  up  the  branch,  W.  T.  Campbell  has  a twenty- 
yard  entry  with  the  following  section  5 yards  in : 

Fire-clay  Coal  Rider. 


Sandstone. 

Black  shale  4" 

Cannel  coal  1/4" 

Coal  26" 


Altitude,  1290.  (S.) 

On  a right  branch,  % mile  up  Reynolds  fork,  M. 
Reynolds  has  27  inches  of  coal  in  the  Fire-clay  coal 
rider,  under  4 feet  of  shale,  at  altitude  1,305.  (S.) 


140 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


From  the  forks  at  Mallie  postoffice,  on  the  left,  % 
mile  up  the  left  fork,  W.  Reynolds  has  30  inches  of  coal 
in  the  Fire-clay  coal  rider,  under  7 feet  of  shale  roof, 
at  the  mouth  of  a twenty-yard  entry  at  altitude  1,305. 

LEFT  FORK. 

On  the  left  at  Hindman:  Altitude  of  mouth,  1,015. 

A sandstone  quarry  on  the  right,  % mile  up  this 
fork,  is  at  altitude  1,055. 

At  its  forks,  *4  mile  up  a left  branch,  y2  mile  up 
Left  fork,  a thin  coal,  under  shale  and  then  the  quarry 
sandstone,  is  at  altitude,  1,055. 

On  the  right  fork  of  this  branch,  % mile  up  it,  J.  W. 
Short  has  a prospect  with  the  following  section : 


Fire-clay  Coal. 


Sandstone  20  ft. 

Coal  21" 

Shale  2" 

Coal  2" 


Altitude,  1145.  (S.) 

OWENS  BRANCH. 

On  the  left,  % mile  up  Left  fork : Altitude  of  mouth, 

1,020. 

A quarry  on  the  right  at  the  mouth  of  this  branch 
is  at  altitude  1,050.  Another  quarry  on  the  right,  Ih 
mile  up  the  branch,  is  at  altitude  1,070.  Under  the  latter 
is  2 to  3 feet  of  shale  and  then  a thin  coal. 

On  a right  branch,  % mile  up  Owens  branch,  on  the 
left,  ys  mile  up  the  branch,  an  upper  seam  of  the  WTiites- 
burg  bed  is  exposed  under  15  feet  of  sandstone  with  14 
inches  of  coal  and  a parting  of  2 to  4 inches,  at  altitude 
1,095. 

On  the  left,  iy2  miles  up  Owens  branch,  % mile  to 
the  left  of  the  gap  to  Stewart  fork,  an  old  unfinished 
prospect  into  the  Francis  bed  shows  it  6 feet  or  more 
thick  with  4 feet  of  coal  in  sight.  Its  altitude  obtained 
(probably  too  low)  is  1,575. 

Coal  of  the  Flag  bed,  found  on  a broad  bench  be- 
tween the  preceding  prospect  and  the  gap,  is  at  altitude 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


141 


1,515.  The  gap,  at  altitude  1,455,  is  about  at  the  level 
of  the  Hazard  bed. 

On  a right  branch,  1%  miles  up  Left  fork,  on  the 
left,  !/4  mile  up  the  branch,  R.  L.  Sloane  has  a twelve- 
yard  entry  with  the  following  section  12  yards  in : 

Hazard  Coal. 

Shale. 


Coal  8" 

Shale  2" 

Coal  32" 


Altitude,  1480.  (S.) 


POSSUM-TROT  BRANCH. 

On  the  left,  2%  miles  up  Left  fork:  Altitude  of 
mouth,  1,040. 

On  a right  drain,  % mile  up  this  branch,  on  the 
left,  % mile  up  the  drain,  W.  H.  Pratt  has  a twenty- 
yard  entry  with  the  following  section  15  yards  in : 

Hazard  Coal. 

Shale. 


Coal  8" 

Shale  7" 

Coal  33" 


Altitude,  1490.  (S.) 

MILL  CREEK. 

On  the  right,  2 y2  miles  up  Left  fork:  Altitude  of 
mouth,  1,045. 

On  a right  branch,  % mile  up  this  creek,  on  the 
right,  y2  mile  up  the  branch,  I.  Thacker  has  a twenty- 
yard  entry  with  the  following  section  15  yards  in : 


Hazard  Coal. 

Shale. 


Coal  6" 

Shale  5" 

Coal  34" 


Altitude,  1490.  (S.) 


142  North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 

On  the  left,  iy2  miles  up  the  creek,  is  the  following 
exposure : 


Whitesburg  Coal. 


Sandstone  10  ft. 

Shale  7" 

Coal  5" 

Shale  4" 

Coal  6" 


Altitude,  1155.  (S.) 

On  a.  left  branch,  2%  miles  up  the  creek,  on  the  left, 
% mile  up  the  branch,  R.  B.  Tate  has  a five-yard  entry 
with  the  following  bed  section  at  its  face : 


Fire-clay  Coal  Rider. 


Sandstone. 

Shale  10" 

Coal  3" 

Shale  (with  coal)  9" 

Coal  22" 


Altitude,  1265.  (S.) 

On  the  left,  2%  miles  up  the  creek,  William  Cox  has 
a closed  entry  into  the  same  bed  at  altitude  1,255,  show- 
ing the  shale  covering  increased  to  5 feet  thickness,  the 
upper  coal  seam  to  4 inches,  the  parting  to  about  18 
inches.  (S.) 

On  the  left,  2%  miles  up  the  creek,  a prospect  gives 
the  following  section : 


Hazard  Coal. 


Sandstone  

Shale  

Coal  about  

Shale  

Coal  

Shale  

Coal  over 

Altitude,  1560. 


6 ft. 

i y2  ft. 
6" 

15" 

28" 

9" 

6" 


Opposite  the  mouth  of  Mill  creek,  beside  the  road, 
is  an  unfinished  prospect  into  a lower  seam  of  the 
Whitesburg  bed  at  altitude  1,080.  This  coal  lies  close 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


143 


under  the  quarry  sandstone,  is  pinched  out  completely 
% mile  down  Left  fork  and,  although  showing  a con- 
siderable stain  at  the  prospect,  is  but  5 inches  thick  as 
exposed  at  the  quarry,  14  mile  farther  up  the  creek. 

On  the  right,  3%  miles  up  Left  fork,  the  same  seam 
at  altitude  1,080,  is  18  inches  thick,  including  a 6-inch 
parting  in  the  middle. 

JONES  FORK. 

On  the  left,  4 miles  up  Left  fork : Altitude  of  mouth, 
1,080. 

On  the  right,  % mile  up  this  fork,  a higher  seam  of 
the  Whitesburg  bed  than  that  under  the  quarry  sand- 
stone has  the  following  section: 

Whitesburg  Coal,  Upper  (?)  Seam. 


Sandstone. 

Coal  5" 

Black  slate  1" 

Coal  6" 

Shale  1" 

Coal  2" 

Altitude,  1100. 


On  the  right,  % mile  up  the  fork,  George  Tuft  has 
two  entries,  one  of  them  at  its  face,  20  yards  in,  giving 
the  following  bed  section : 


Fire-clay  Coal. 


Sandstone  15  ft. 

Black  slate  4" 

Coal  41" 


Altitude,  1150.  (S.) 

Being  but  10  feet  above  the  fork  a large  area  of  this 
fine-looking  coal  is  available  here. 

NEALY  BRANCH. 

On  the  left,  4%  miles  up  Left  fork:  Altitude  of 
mouth,  1,090. 

On  the  left,  % mile  up  the  branch,  is  10  inches  of 
coal  under  sandstone  at  altitude  1,105,  of  the  Whites- 
burg coal  bed. 


144 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


On  the  right  of  a left  branch,  % mile  up  Nealy 
branch,  % mile  up  the  left  branch,  a two-yard  entry 
gives  the  following  bed  section  at  its  face : 

Whitesburg  Upper  Coal  Seam. 

Sandstone  (Rock- 

house)  10  ft. 

Black  slate  6" 

Coal  10" 

Shale  14" 

Coal  5" 

Clay  about  ...12" 

Sandstone. 

Altitude,  1130. 

On  the  left,  % mile  up  this  left  branch,  a one-yard 
entry  has  the  following  section: 

Fire-clay  Coal. 


Sandstone  ...10  ft. 

Coal  24" 


Altitude,  1185. 

On  the  right,  % mile  up  Nealy  branch,  the  face  of 
a two-yard  entry  has  the  following  bed  section : 

Whitesburg  Upper  Coal  Seam. 


Sandstone. 

Black  slate  about  30" 

Coal  about  12" 

Shale  about 12" 

Coal  10" 


Altitude,  1150.  (S.) 

On  the  right,  % mile  up  Nealy  branch,  a one-yard 
entry  has  the  following  bed  section : 

Whitesburg  Upper  Coal  Seam. 

Sandstone  (Rock- 


house)  8 ft. 

Black  slate  2 ft. 

Coal  11" 

Shale  6" 

Coal  7" 


Altitude,  1150. 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


145 


On  the  right,  1%  miles  up  Nealy  branch,  the  Fire- 
clay coal,  under  5 feet  of  sandstone,  is  opened  in  an 
entry,  at  altitude  1,210,  having  33  inches  or  more  coal, 
the  lower  6 inches  in  water  and  not  seen.  The  bottom 
3 inches  of  coal  is  said  to  be  left  as  a floor  because  hard 
and  poor.  Under  it  is  a hard  fire-clay  (not  flint)  about 
3 inches  thick,  with  soft  shale  beneath. 

ALUM  CAVE  BRANCH. 

On  the  left,  4%  miles  up  Left  fork:  Altitude  of 
mouth,  1,115. 

On  the  left,  % mile  up  this  branch,  is  12  inches  of 
coal  with  one  inch  parting  of  the  Whitesburg  bed, 
under  7 feet  of  sandstone,  at  altitude  1,125. 

On  the  left,  % mile  up  the  branch,  is  a foot  of  coal, 
the  upper  seam  of  the  same  bed,  under  1%  feet  of  black 
slate  and  then  10  feet  of  sandstone,  at  altitude  1,155. 

On  the  left,  % mile  up  the  branch,  is  the  following 
section : 


Fire-clay  Coal. 


Sandstone  5 ft. 

Coal  35" 

Shale  1" 


Black  slate. 

Altitude,  1205.  (S.) 

On  a right  branch,  5 miles  up  Left  fork,  on  the  left, 
14  mile  up  the  branch,  Gf.  C.  Childress  has  a twenty- 
yard  entry  with  the  following  section  12  yards  in : 

Fire-clay  Coal. 


Sandstone. 

Coal  . 5" 

Sandy  shale  1" 

Coal  27" 


Altitude,  1225.  (S.) 

In  the  branch  at  this  point  is  a foot  of  coal  (with 
shale  and  more  coal  reported  below  it)  of  the  Whites- 
burg bed  under  black  slate,  at  altitude  1,175. 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


146 


On  the  left,  5%  miles  up  Left  fork,  is  the  following 
section : 

Whitesburg  Coal. 


Sandstone  20  ft. 

Coal  3" 

Sandstone  2" 

Black  slate  1" 

Coal  6" 


Altitude,  1165.  (S.) 

On  a left  branch,  5%  miles  up  the  fork,  on  the  left, 
% mile  up  the  branch  (on  its  right  fork)  Silas  Watts 
has  a fifteen-yard  entry  with  the  following  section  5 
yards  in: 

Fire-clay  Coal. 


Sandstone  4 ft. 

Black  slate  1" 

Shale  3" 

Coal  33" 


Altitude,  1260.  (S.) 

On  the  left,  6 miles  up  Left  fork,  Squire  Watts  has 
a five-yard  entry  with  the  following  bed  section  at  its 
face : 


Fire-clay  Coal. 


Sandstone  6 ft. 

Shale  3" 

Black  slate  3" 

Splint  coal  4" 

Shale  5" 

Coal,  thin. 

Sandstone  about  6" 

Coal  22" 


Altitude,  1290.  (S.) 


COALS  OF  FIRST  CREEK, 
PERRY  COUNTY. 


COALS  OF  FIRST  CREEK. 

First  creek,  about  6 miles  long,  flows  from  the  north 
into  the  Kentucky  river  at  Typo,  5 V2  miles  by  rail  be- 
low Hazard. 

The  strata  in  outcrop  along  the  creek  range  from 
the  Whitesburg  coal  bed  at  about  stream  level  at  the 
mouth  of  the  creek,  to  some  200  feet  above  the  Hindman 
bed  in  the  high  hills  toward  the  head.  The  principal 
coal  beds  and  approximate  intervals  between  them  are 
as  follows,  the  names  applied  to  the  beds  and  the  local 
numbering  both  being  given  : 

Hindman  Coal. 

Interval  50  (?)  feet. 

Francis  Coal,  No.  8. 

Interval  100  (?)  feet. 

Flag  Coal,  No  7. 

Interval  50  feet. 

Hazard  Coal,  No.  6. 

Interval  80  feet. 

Haddix  Coal,  No.  5. 

Interval  200  (?)  feet. 

Fire-clay  Coal,  No.  4. 

Interval  50  (?)  feet. 

Whitesburg  Coal. 

The  Whitesburg  coal  was  not  seen  in  the  investiga- 
tion made  recently  by  the  writer,  but  it  is  reasonable  to 
assume  that  it  is  split  into  several  seams  of  no  value, 
as  shown  in  outcrop  slightly  above  river  level  on  Wil- 
lard and  Big  creeks  and  on  Messer  branch  at  Hazard. 

The  Fire-clay  coal  has  not  been  certainly  identified 
on  First  creek,  but  if  found,  even  in  good  thickness,  con- 
siderable development  would  be  necessary  to  establish 
its  value,  owing  to  the  extreme  variability  of  the  bed 
along  the  river  and  its  affluents  below  First  creek.  First 
creek  seems  to  be  about  on  the  border  line  between  the 
irregularity  of  the  bed  down  the  river  and  its  uniformly 
good  sction  in  the  Hazard  mining  region. 

The  Haddix  coal  is  open  in  one  place  only,  so  far 
as  known,  and  there  shows  a thickness  of  over  4 feet 


150 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


of  coal,  but  with  a parting  of  15  inches.  The  excellent 
roof  and  floor  here  and  the  usually  high  grade  of  coal 
of  this  bed  should  lead  to  its  thorough  exploitation,  but 
the  higher  Hazard  bed  is  now  more  attractive. 

The  Hazard  coal,  with  unimportant  exceptions,  va- 
ries in  thickness  of  coal  from  4 feet  to  6 feet,  usually 
without  parting,  though  containing  a little  rather  per- 
sistent bone  coal.  The  thickest  coal  is  near  the  mouth 
of  the  creek,  where  its  area  is  small,  but  developments 
toward  the  head  furnish  proof  of  a wide  field  of  great 
value.  Four  companies  have  acquired  leases  and  are 
actively  engaged  in  preparations  for  a large  production 
of  coal,  a spur  track  of  the  Lexington  and  Eastern  Rail- 
way being  in  incipient  operation  to  the  upper  plant. 

Samples  of  this  coal  collected  by  the  writer  and 
analyzed  at  the  Kentucky  Agricultural  Experiment  Sta- 
tion gave  the  following  results : 

Analyses  of  Air-dried  Samples. 


Laboratory  Numbers 

G. 3704 

G. 3705 

Moisture  

2.28 

2.42 

Volatile  combustible 

matter....  38.03 

36.31 

Fixed  carbon  

52.43 

52.63 

Ash,  gray  

7.26 

8.64 

100.00 

100.00 

Sulphur  

67 

.65 

B.  T.  U.  per  pound..— 

13369. 

13129. 

Specific  gravity  

1.298 

1.354 

Number  G.  3,704  was  taken  from  the  head  of  an 
entry,  150  yards  in,  of  the  Harvey  Coal  Co.;  number  G. 
3,705  from  the  head  of  an  entry,  20  yards  in,  of  the  Ken- 
tucky Block  Coal  Co.  The  slightly  poorer  analysis  of 
the  latter  is  accounted  for  by  the  effect  of  weathering  of 
the  coal  near  the  surface  of  the  ground,  visible  also  in 
the  sample,  which  was  “rather  dull  looking,”  while  the 
former  was  “bright  clean  looking  coal,”  according  to 
the  remarks  of  the  analyst.  In  general  the  quality  ap- 
pears to  be  nearly  uniform  along  the  creek  and  with 
little  variation  in  its  bed  section. 

The  Flag  coal  appears  to  be  4 feet  thick  at  the  head 
of  the  creek,  where  alone  in  this  locality  it  was  found, 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


151 


but  openings  on  Lost  creek  branches  indicate  a contin- 
uance of  thick  coal  in  this  bed.  The  mining  of  the  Haz- 
ard bed  preceding  that  of  the  Flag  is  likely  to  result 
in  the  loss  of  much  of  the  latter  bed. 

No  coal  of  higher  beds  than  the  Flag  was  found  on 
First  creek,  but  intervals  to  higher  beds  liable  to  prove 
of  workable  thickness  and  with  sufficient  area  are  given 
on  the  first  page  of  this  report. 

Following  are  details  of  openings  visited  and  ex- 
posures seen.  Altitudes  given  are  as  determined  by 
barometer.  Distances  up  the  creek  are  taken  from  the 
United  States  Geological  Survey  map. 

On  the  left,  14  mile  up  First  creek,  Leland  Standi - 
ford  has  a twenty-yard  entry  with  the  following  bed  sec- 
tion at  its  face,  the  lower  6 feet  only  being  mined. 

Hazard  Coal. 


Earth. 

Coal  about  18" 

Shale  7" 

Coal  72" 


Altitude,  1160. 

This  is  355  feet  above  the  mouth  of  the  creek  and 
there  appears  to  be  less  than  100  feet  of  covering  over 
the  coal  here  and  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  creek. 

BEE  BRANCH. 

On  the  left,  1%  miles  up  First  creek:  Altitude  of 
mouth,  905. 

At  its  head,  y2  mile  up  this  branch,  E.  C.  Combs  has 
an  eight-yard  entry  with  the  following  section : 

Hazard  Coal. 


Sandstone  3 ft. 

Shale  20" 

Coal  2" 

Shale  1" 

Coal  69" 


Altitude,  1170. 


152 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


A broad  bench  here,  at  altitude  1,090,  marks  the 
approximate  place  of  the  Haddix  coal. 

Three  inches  of  coal  at  altitude  915  in  the  railroad 
cut,  1%  miles  up  the  creek,  is  probably  of  the  Fire-clay 
coal  not  fully  developed.  Coal  which  appears  to  be  of 
the  same  bed  lias  been  taken  from  the  creek,  2 miles  up 
it.  This  is  rejiorted  thin,  but  it  is  likely  that  if  a parting 
is  present  in  the  bed  the  coal  below  it  was  not  found. 

On  a left  branch,  2 miles  up  the  creek,  on  the  left 
% mile  up  the  branch,  Ira  Stacy  has  a fifteen-yard  entry 
into  the  Hazard  bed,  at  altitude  1,180,  having  64  inches 
of  coal  without  parting,  under  5 feet  of  massive  sand- 
stone. A moderate-sized  working  area  is  available  here. 

PETER  BRANCH. 

On  the  right,  2%  miles  up  the  creek:  Altitude  of 
mouth,  955. 

On  the  left,  % mile  up  this  branch,  a fifteen-yard 
entry  with  about  5 feet  of  coal  at  its  face,  gives  the  fol- 
lowing section : 


Hazard  Coal. 


Sandstone  5 ft. 

Coal  8" 

Shale  39" 

Coal  about  60" 


Altitude,  1200. 


WOLF-PEN  BRANCH. 


On  the  left,  3 miles  up  First  creek:  Altitude  of 
month,  970. 

The  Kentucky  Block  Coal  Company  has  opened  sev- 
eral entries  on  the  left  of  this  branch  in  which  the  coal 
varies  in  thickness  from  59  inches,  20  yards  in  No.  1,  to 
65  inches,  5 yards  in  No.  3,  from  % mile  to  % mile  up 
the  branch.  Analysis  (No.  Gr.  3705)  of  a sample  from 
the  face  of  No.  1 entry,  is  given  on  a preceding  page. 
The  bed  section  follows : 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


153 


Hazard  Coal. 

Sandstone. 


Coal  50" 

Bone  coal  1" 

• Coal  8" 

Clay  12" 


Altitude,  1200. 


On  the  left,  3%  miles  up  First  creek,  the  face  of  a 
twenty-yard  entry  into  the  Hazard  bed,  under  sandstone, 
gives  66  inches  of  coal  at  altitude  1,170. 

At  the  head  of  a left  hollow,  3y2  miles  up  the  creek, 
the  same  bed,  under  sandstone,  gives  76  inches  of  coal 
at  altitude  1,165.  On  the  right  of  the  same  hollow,  in  a 
two-yard  entry  the  coal  is  about  6 feet  thick,  but  still 
soft  from  outcrop  exposure. 

WHITE  OAK  BRANCH. 

On  the  left,  3%  miles  up  First  creek:  Altitude  of 
mouth,  1,000. 

The  coal  on  this  branch  and  on  considerable  adjoin- 
ing land  has  been  leased  by  the  Blue  Diamond  Coal  Com- 
pany and  seems  to  have  been  well  prospected  with  dia- 
mond drill  and  otherwise,  but  the  results  obtained  were 
not  accessible,  except  as  found  in  openings  visited. 

On  the  left  of  the  branch,  % and  % mile  up  it,  at 
the  face  and  mouth  of  six-yard  entries,  under  sandstone, 
the  Hazard  coal  is  70  and  72  inches  thick,  respectively, 
and  at  altitude  1,210. 

On  a right  hollow,  mile  up  the  branch,  a prospect 
on  the  right  and  a 3-yard  entry  on  the  left  give,  respec- 
tively, 70  and  66  inches  of  coal  in  the  Hazard  bed  at  alti- 
tudes 1,235  and  1,225. 

On  the  left  of  a left  drain,  % mile  up  the  branch  a 
sixty-yard  prospecting  entry  into  the  Hazard  bed  at 
altitude  1,205  penetrated  an  irregularity  in  the  coal 
probably  to  its  farthest  extent.  The  thickness  of  coal 
varies  along  the  entry  from  2 feet  to  5y2  feet,  roof  and 
floor  both  rising  or  falling  as  the  thickness  of  the  coal 
changes,  while  maintaining  nearly  the  right  general  level 
of  the  bed.  The  disturbance  is,  doubtless,  confined  to  a 
small  area.  An  entry  on  the  right  of  the  same  drain, 


154 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


abandoned  on  reaching  the  coal,  is  so  covered  as  to  give 
no  indication  of  its  thickness. 

On  the  right,  % mile  up  the  branch,  a prospect  dis- 
closes the  following: 

Haddix  Coal. 


Shale. 

Coal  12" 

Shale  12" 

Sandstone  3" 

Shale  12" 

Black  slate  10" 

Coal  2" 

Black  slate  7" 

Coal  29" 

Shale  15" 

Coal  27" 

Bituminous  sand- 
stone   2" 

Shaly  sandstone  10  ft. 

Altitude,  1125. 


If  such  section  of  thick  coal,  excellent  black  slate 
roof  and  substantial  floor  maintains  over  a considerable 
area,  an  important  addition  to  the  coal  of  this  vicinity 
is  assured,  notwithstanding  the  thick  parting.  The  coal 
cf  this  bed  is  usually  particularly  handsome  in  appear- 
ance and  when  generally  known  will  be  in  great  demand. 

On  the  left,  y2  mile  up  the  branch,  at  4 yards  in  a 
wet  entry,  the  Hazard  bed,  under  sandstone,  has  63 
inches  of  coal. 

On  the  left  of  a right  hollow,  % mile  up  the  branch, 
a six-yard  entry  into  the  same  bed  lias  42  inches  of  coal 
at  its  face  (41  inches  at  its  mouth)  and  is  at  altitude 
1,205. 

On  the  right  of  a left  drain,  % mile  up  the  branch, 
Vs  mile  up  the  drain,  the  face  of  a four-yard  entry  into 
the  Hazard  bed  shows  about  5 feet  of  coal,  under  sand- 
stone, at  altitude  1,205. 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


155 


ROAD  BRANCH. 

On  the  right,  3%  mile  up  First  creek:  Altitude  of 
mouth,  1,025. 

On  the  right,  % mile  up  this  branch,  the  First  Creek 
Coal  Company  has  a prospect  into  the  Hazard  bed  with 
76  inches  of  coal  under  2 feet  of  shale  and  at  altitude 
1,220.  Though  this  appeared  to  be  the  only  opening  on 
the  lease,  construction  work  was  advancing  rapidly. 

On  the  left,  4 miles  up  First  creek,  a prospect  into 
the  Hazard  bed  shows  60  inches  of  coal  under  sandstone 
at  altitude  1,225. 

On  a right  branch  with  mouth  at  altitude  1,155,  4 
miles  up  the  creek,  on  the  right  at  its  mouth,  a two-yard 
entry  gives  the  following: 

Hazard  Coal. 

Shale. 


Coal  8” 

Shale  21" 

Coal  51" 


Altitude,  1235. 


On  the  left,  at  track  level,  5 miles  up  the  creek, 
under  20  feet  of  massive  sandstone,  is  22  inches  of  coal 
at  altitude  1,190.  This  is  of  the  Hamlin  bed,  a coal  of 
little  consequence  except  as  a marker  to  the  position  of 
the  coals  above  and  below  it. 

On  the  right,  5 y2  miles  up  the  creek,  the  Harvey 
Coal  Company  has  its  No.  1 entry  which,  30  yards  in, 
has  the  following  section : 

Hazard  Coal. 

Sandstone. 


Coal  38" 

Bone  coal  3" 

Coal  11" 


Altitude,  1260. 

At  50  yards  in  a second  streak  of  bone  coal  appears, 
2 inches  thick  and  3 inches  above  that  of  the  preceding 
section. 

On  the  left,  opposite  No.  1 entry,  No.  2 entry  40 
yards  in  has  but  one  seam  of  bone  coal,  2 inches  thick, 


156 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  Fiver 


and  51  inches  of  coal.  At  150  yards  in,  the  sample,  with 
analysis  (No.  Gr.  3704)  given  on  a preceding  page,  was 
taken,  the  section  being  as  follows : 


Hazard  Coal. 

Sandstone. 


Coal  38" 

Bone  coal  2" 

Coal  11" 

Clay. 


Altitude,  1260. 

Coal  in  stock  from  this  entry  is  hard,  bright  and, 
but  for  the  bone  coal,  apparently  pure,  with  a compara- 
tively small  amount  of  slack  for  narrow  work  alone.  The 
lump  coal  shows  no  sign  of  deterioration  although  some 
of  it  has  been  exposed  to  the  weather  for  several  months. 

On  a left  branch  just  above  the  No.  2 entry,  on  the 
left  % mile  up  the  branch,  a prospect  gives  26  inches 
of  coal  under  4 feet  of  sandstone  at  altitude  1,300.  On 
the  left,  % mile  up  the  branch,  a second  prospect  gives 
42  inches  of  coal  under  10  feet  of  massive  sandstone  at 
altitude  1,340.  The  lower  one  of  these  openings  seems 
to  be  of  the  Hazard  bed  and  the  upper  of  the  Flag  bed, 
as  indicated  by  the  configuration  of  the  surface  of  the 
ground,  but  additional  data  is  needed  to  confirm  this 
opinion.  If  correct,  the  thin  coal  of  the  Hazard  opening 
may  be  attributed  to  its  proximity  to  the  crest  of  a roll 
as  indicated  by  its  altitude  as  compared  with  that  of 
the  No.  2 entry,  and  of  the  Flag  bed  opening. 

On  the  right,  5%  miles  up  the  creek,  a prospect  into 
the  Hazard  bed  gives  52  inches  of  coal  at  altitude  1,265. 


COALS  ON  NORTH  SIDE  OF 


NORTH  FORK. 


COALS  ON  THE  NORTH  SIDE  OF  THE  NORTH 
FORK  OF  KENTUCKY  RIVER  FROM  THE 
MOUTH  OF  LOTS  CREEK  TO  THE 
MOUTH  OF  CARR  FORK,  INCLUD- 
ING ALSO  THE  HEADWATERS 
OF  LOST  CREEK. 


This  report  follows  a recent  examination*  of  all 
coal  developments  which  were  available  in  the  region  it 
covers,  viz. : The  Lost  creek  watershed  above  Cockerel 
fork  in  Breathitt  county,  and  the  drainage  area  of  the 
North  fork  of  Kentucky  river  on  the  north  side  of  the 
river  from  Lots  creek  to  Carr  fork. 

New  topographical  maps,  on  a large  scale,  of  most 
of  this  field  issued  jointly  by  the  Kentucky  Geological 
Survey  and  the  U.  S.  Geological  Survey,  admit  of  loca- 
tion of  openings  with  a great  degree  of  accuracy,  and 
altitudes  marked  frequently  along  streams,  roads  and 
hilltops,  as  well  as  on  the  maps,  have  aided  very  much 
in  using  the  barometer  for  getting  heights  of  openings 
and  determining  correlations  and  inclinations  of  strata. 
It  should  be  noted,  however,  that  barometric  readings 
can  never  be  relied  upon  implicitly,  but  are  often  in  error 
and  always  subject  to  correction. 

Altitudes  given  in  this  report,  not  conforming  to 
those  given  in  the  earlier  report,  are  expected  to  replace 
the  latter. 

Beyond  mentioning  the  fact  of  a general  northwest 
dip  throughout  this  restricted  field,  it  is  necessary  to 
say  little  more  here  in  regard  to  structure.  The  closer 
work  done  has  revealed  numerous  minor  cross  dips  and 
reverse  dips,  some  of  which  are  pointed  out  when  treat- 
ing of  the  localties  where  they  occur,  while  others  are 
too  obvious  to  need  mention.  Outcrop  surveys  are  needed 
for  final  determination  of  local  dips  before  mining  opera- 


*1912-1913. 


160  North  Fork  of  Kentucky  Kiver 

tions  are  begun.  This  is  work  for  property  owners 
and  is  now  well  under  way. 

With  such  knowledge  of  them  as  is  already  ac- 
quired, the  outcrops  of  two  of  the  beds  at  least,  the  Fire- 
clay and  the  Flag  coals,  can  be  drawn  on  the  map,  their 
areas  calculated  and  from  their  known  thickness  the 
available  coal  be  determined  with  sufficient  accuracy  for 
general  purposes.  The  principal  beds  above  drainage 
in  this  region  and  approximate  intervals  between  them, 
with  the  notation  locally  used  to  describe  them  added, 
are  as  follows : 


Hindman  Coal. 

Interval  100  feet  or  more. 
Flag  Coal  (No.  7). 

Interval  40  to  80  feet  or  more. 
Hazard  Coal  (No.  6). 

Interval  100  feet. 

Haddix  Coal  (No.  5). 

Interval  200  feet  or  more. 
Fire-clay  Coal  (No.  4). 


Three  other  coals,  one  a rider  to  the  Fire-clay  coal, 
one  midway  between  the  Haddix  and  Hazard  coals,  and 
the  third  between  the  Flag  and  Hindman  coals,  some- 
times assume  a workable  thickness,  but  it  is  very  doubt- 
ful if  they  do  so  over  much  area.  These  intervals  are 
variable  without  apparent  regularity,  though  there 
seems  to  be  an  approach  to  a uniform  increase  of  inter- 
val between  the  Hazard  and  Flag  coals  from  40  feet  on 
Lost  creek  to  80  feet  on  Lots  creek  and  possibly  to  100 
feet  on  Irishman  creek.*  The  lowest  strata  exposed  are 
at  the  mouth  of  Irishman  creek,  160  feet  below  the  Fire- 
clay coal,  and  the  highest  are  at  the  head  of  Trace  fork 
of  Irishman,  probably  300  feet  above  the  Hindman  coal 
—in  all  about  1,000  feet  of  measures.  The  lowest  100 
feet  of  these  measures  carries  no  coal  of  value  nor  any 
conspicuous  rock.  At  the  top  of  this  100  feet  is  a thin 
coal,  apparently  constant,  and  underlying  a sandstone 
which  forms  the  lower  cliffs  at  the  river  above  Hazard 
and  carries  the  Whitesburg  coal,  (with  more  or  less 
shale  accompanying  it),  at  varying  distances  below  the 


*See  succeeding-  report  on  Carr  fork. 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  Fiver 


161 


Fire-clay  coal  above  it,  but  normally  about  30  feet.  The 
Whitesburg  coal,  above  drainage  in  this  field  only  at  and 
above  Hazard,  is  in  places  wholly  cut  out  by  this  sand- 
stone, but  while  often  carrying  enough  coal  for  working 
is  so  cut  up  by  partings  as  to  ruin  it. 

The  Fire-clay  coal  is  below  drainage  on  the  upper 
half  of  Lost  creek,  its  bed  section  before  going  under  the 
creek  showing  partings  which  give  to  its  three  feet  and 
over  of  coal  an  unattractive  appearance.  On  Lots  creek 
the  upper  part  of  this  bed  is  clean,  varying  in  thickness 
from  workable  to  non-workable  under  present  condi- 
tions. At  its  thickest  it  appears  in  large  part  as  cannel 
coal.  From  the  mouth  of  Lots  creek  up  the  river  to 
Carr  fork  and  thence  to  Irishman  creek  there  is  a grad- 
ual increase  in  thickness  of  the  Fire-clay  coal,  but  with 
a number  of  fluctuations : the  upper  bench  of  coal  is  re- 
markably constant  at  3 to  3y2  feet  over  a large  area, 
while  the  lower  bench  adds  an  increasing  amount  of  coal 
of  doubtful  value  owing  to  the  impurities  in  it.  The 
quality  of  the  upper  bench  is  fine  for  domestic  use  and 
for  steam,  and  its  uniformity  in  appearance  throughout 
its  thickness  is  striking.  On  Carr  fork*  it  is  usually 
without  regular  cleavage.  The  peculiar  parting  in  this 
bed  is  still  more  singular  in  a part  of  this  field  in  that 
it  consists  of  two  distinct  parts,  the  lower  the  usual 
brown  (sometimes  black)  flint-clay,  the  upper  part  a 
combined  black  slate  and  fire-clay,  sometimes  so  largely 
bituminous  as  to  make  the  closest  examination  necessary 
to  determine  it  from  splint  coal  before  it  is  mined.  But 
slowly  affected  by  weather,  it  is  conspicuous  in  the 
dumps  from  entries  and  often  elsewhere  on  the  surface 
below  the  bed  and  serves  for  identification  when  entries 
are  closed.  To  it  is  applied  here  the  name  of  “black- 
jack.” A pecularity  in  the  roof  of  this  coal,  seen  in  so 
many  places  as  to  lead  to  the  impression  that  it  is  ex- 
ceptional otherwise,  is  that  where  shale  covers  the  bed 
on  outcrop,  on  going  a few  yards  underground  the  shale 
changes  to  sandstone ; sometimes  this  flakes  off  near  the 
mouth  but  does  not  farther  in.  This  change  occurs  even 
when  no  sand  whatever  can  be  detected  outside  either 
by  eye  or  with  hammer.  This  engenders  doubt  of  any 

*See  Carr  fork  and  its  tributaries. 


K.  R.— 6. 


162 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


shale  which  has  been  exposed  to  weathering  if  it  may 
not  really  be  a weathered  sandstone. 

The  rider  to  the  Fire-clay  coal  shows  a fair  thick- 
ness only  on  Lots  creek  and  at  but  one  locality  there. 
The  adjacent  rocks  vary  from  shales  and  thin  sand- 
stones away  from  the  river  to  thick,  massive  sandstones 
in  the  vicinity  of  the  river  which  apparently  cut  out  this 
bed.  From  these  shales  or  sandstones  up  to  the  Haddix 
coal  there  is  generally  an  alternation  of  shales  and  thin 
bedded  sandstones,  the  latter  predominating  and  supply- 
ing most  of  the  flagstones  required  for  local  use. 

For  a few  miles  on  Lost  creek  the  Haddix  coal 
makes  an  excellent  showing  of  from  three  to  five  feet, 
but  before  going  below  drainage  it  becomes  thin,  to  re- 
appear on  Trace  fork  of  Lots  creek  with  over  four  feet 
of  coal.  Above  Trace  fork  it  has  been  found  in  a few 
places  only,  and  where  opened  in  good  thickness,  the  bed 
is  badly  cut  up  by  partings.  From  the  Haddix  coal  to  the 
I lazard  coal  is  largely  massive  sandstone,  the  twenty  feet 
of  sandstone  close  under  the  Hazard  being  particularly 
durable,  presenting  cliffs  of  that  thickness  at  frequent 
intervals.  Half  way  between  the  Haddix  and  Hazard  beds 
is  a thin  coal,  apparently  constant,  to  which  is  given  the 
name  of  “ Young”  coal. 

The  Hazard  bed,  with  five  and  seven  feet  of  coal  on 
Lost  creek,  is  found  workable  in  a few  places  elsewhere 
in  this  immediate  field;  it  seems  to  be  particularly  un- 
certain as  to  partings,  and  much  more  development  is 
needed  to  give  it  the  assured  value  which  is  indicated  by 
its  thick  coal.  Shales  of  considerable  thickness  usually 
overlie  the  Hazard  coal;  above  these  is  a cliff -making 
sandstone  up  to  the  Flag  coal. 

Throughout  this  field  the  Flag  coal  is  the  most  re- 
liable in  thickness,  ranging  from  87  inches  of  clean  coal 
on  Lost  creek  to  over  three  feet  as  a minimum,  and 
probably  averaging  four  to  five  feet.  Openings,  how- 
ever, are  not  so  numerous  anywhere  in  the  field  as  to 
warrant  mining  without  closer  investigation  in  each 
particular  locality  where  such  work  may  be  proposed. 
Over  the  Flag  coal  is  a hard,  massive  sandstone,  fre- 
quently the  roof  of  the  bed,  which  probably  extends  to 
the  next  coal,  about  50  feet  higher.  Little  is  known  of 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


163 


this  higher  coal,  as  it  lies  too  near  the  tops  of  the  hills 
to  carry  much  area.  In  this  report  this  will  be  called  the 
“Francis”  coal.  Next  above  the  Francis  coal  is  a hard, 
thick  sandstone  which  caps  the  ridges  over  a large  part 
of  the  field. 

The  Hindman  coal,  because  of  its  great  thickness, 
nearly  ten  feet  at  the  head  of  Irishman  creek,*  has  more 
local  reputation  than  development,  being  assumed  to 
maintain  that  thickness,  whereas  at  the  head  of  Lost 
creek  it  appears  to  be  but  four  feet  thick.  Between 
Irishman  creek  and  the  head  of  Lots  creek  is  the  only 
hill  high  enough  to  give  a workable  area,  of  this  bed,  a 
large  one  being  needed  for  a coal  so  difficult  of  access 
as  this.  The  sandstone  directly  over  this  coal  is  ex- 
tremely friable  and  makes  a bad  roof.  It  is  probably 
70  feet  thick,  with  a hard  cap,  which  gives  rise  to  many 
of  the  peaks  in  the  field.  Strata  above  this  sandstone 
are  to  be  found  probably  only  at  Hazard  and  in  the  ridge 
between  Irishman  and  Lots  creeks  and  have  not  been  in- 
vestigated. 

Following  is  a description  in  detail  of  coal  openings 
and  natural  exposures  in  this  region  visited,  together 
with  references  to  former  information  published.  It  in- 
cludes all  openings  in  the  field  which  were  in  condition 
for  examination  at  the  time,  so  far  as  they  could  be  de- 
termined, many  of  them  being  partly  closed.  The  gen- 
eral use  of  coal  by  residents  instead  of  wood  as  in  ear- 
lier years,  has  resulted  in  such  development  of  the  coal 
beds  as  to  render  their  correlation  far  more  reliable 
than  under  former  conditions.  The  description  is  ar- 
ranged in  geographical  order,  beginning  at  the  mouths  of 
the  streams  and  following  each  one  in  succession,  with 
its  tributaries,  to  its  head.  The  terms  left  and  right  are 
used  invariably  as  when  looking  up  stream.  Surface 
distances,  given  in  miles,  are  fairly  accurate,  having 
been  measured  generally  on  the  new  maps  whenever 
they  were  available.  Underground  distances,  given  in 
yards,  are  all  by  estimation.  Thicknesses  of  strata, 
given  in  feet,  are  approximate  only;  given  in  inches  are 
exact.  Altitudes  of  openings  determined  by  barometer 
are  still  subject  to  correction,  usually  but  slightly  so. 


*See  Carr  fork. 


164 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


Entries  are  often  partially  closed  at  the  mouth  by  fallen 
earth,  so  that  six  inches  to  a foot  of  water  stands  in 
them;  such  are  designated  here  as  “wet”  entries. 
Names  of  owners  or  former  owners  of  lands  are  given 
preference  to  names  of  companies  owning  coal,  as  open- 
ings can  be  more  definitely  located  in  that  way. 

LOST  CREEK. 

On  the  left  of  Lost  creek,  one-eighth  mile  beloy^ 
Cockerel  fork,  and  again  one-quarter  mile  above  Cock- 
erel, on  the  left  of  a small  drain,  are  openings  with  the 
following  sections : 


Fire-clay  Coal. 


Below  Cockerel 


Sandstone  3 ft. 

Shale  5 ft. 

Coal  25" 

Parting  3" 

Coal  13" 


Altitude,  835. 


Above  Cockerel. 

Shale  and  shaly  sand- 


stone   10  ft. 

Coal  5" 

Shale  1" 

Coal  18" 

Shale  3" 

Coal  16" 

Parting  4" 

Coal  10" 

Black  slate. 

Altitude,  840. 

Altitude  of  mouth  of 

Cockerel  Fork  ....805 


The  first  opening  was  measured  at  the  mouth  of  a 
long  entry,  the  second  at  the  face  one  yard  in.  The  part- 
ings consist  of  an  indeterminate  rock  apparently  between 
a common  shale  and  the  characteristic  Hint  fire-clay. 

One  mile  up  Cockerel  fork  the  Fire-clay  coal  goes 
under  drainage,  but  up  Lost  creek  it  rises  with  the 
stream,  being  25  feet  above  at  the  mouth  of  Ten  Mile 
creek  and  33  inches  thick  there  without  parting.  The 
rider  has  26  inches  of  coal  there.  The  Haddix  coal,  as 
found  directly  opposite  and  200  feet  higher  than  the 
mouth  of  Ten  Mile,  has  the  following  section: 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


165 


Haddix  Coal. 


Coal  23" 

Shale  4" 

Coal  . 4" 

Shale  1" 

Coal  2" 


Altitude,  1015. 


TEN  MILE  CREEK. 

On  the  right  and  l1/^  miles  above  Cockerel  fork. 
Altitude  at  mouth,  815. 

No  satisfactory  coal  appears  to  have  been  found  on 
this  creek,  those  openings  made  having  all  fallen  in.  On 
the  left  and  over  the  Left  fork  divide,  however,  is  an 
opening  on  Low  Gap  branch  which  encourages  the  hope 
that  the  bed  has  been  overlooked  here. 

COLLINS  BRANCH. 

On  the  left,  2y2  miles  above  Ten  Mile  creek. 

The  section  of  the  Collingsworth  opening  on  the 
Flag  coal  is  taken  from  Bulletin  No.  11,  but  with  cor- 
rected elevation. 


Flag  Coal. 

Clay. 

Coal  15" 

Cannel  and  splint 

coal  18" 

Clay  1" 

Coal  16" 

Clay  1" 

Coal  8" 

Altitude,  1195. 


LOW  GAP  BRANCH. 

On  the  right,  3%  miles  above  Ten  Mile  creek.  Alti- 
tude at  mouth,  860. 

On  the  right  drain  of  the  right  fork  of  this  branch, 
% mile  from  Lost  creek,  Green  Noble  has  an  opening  in 
the  Hazard  bed  giving  the  following  section: 


166 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  Kiver 


Hazard  Coal. 


Sandstone  

Block  coal  

Shale  

Block  coal  

Shale  

Block  coal 

Clay  

Block  coal  

Black  slate. 
Altitude,  1130. 


10  ft. 
13" 

. 3" 

. 1" 

. 7" 
.31" 

. 1" 
.20" 


But  a few  inches  of  the  bottom  coal  was  seen,  and 
its  20  inches  may  include  a parting,  there  being  18  inches 
of  water  in  the  entry. 


FIFTEEN  MILE  CREEK. 

Altitude  of  mouth,  910. 

Opposite  the  mouth  of  this  creek  and  ten  feet  above 
it  is  eighteen  inches  of  coal  under  ten  feet  of  shale  and 
upon  five  feet  of  sandstone.  This  is  probably  the  Fire- 
clay coal  rider,  the  main  bed  having  gone  below  the 
creek  about  a mile  farther  down  stream.  A quarter  of 
a mile  up  Fifteen  Mile,  on  the  left  and  a quarter  of  a 
mile  up  a left  branch,  the  Hazard  coal  gives  in  a partly 
closed,  wet  entry  under  fifteen  feet  of  shale,  six  and  a 
half  feet  of  coal,  including  thin  partings  near  the  top. 
Its  altitude  is  1,165.  On  the  Combs  and  Horton  tract, 
one  mile  up  Fifteen  Mile,  three  openings  are  shown  as 
follow.  Openings  on  left  by  the  road  and  one-quarter 
of  a mile  up  right  branch: 

Flag  Coal. 

Shale  5 ft. 

Coal  1" 

Shale  2" 

Coal  61" 

Altitude,  1180. 

Ten-yard  entry  on  left  of  same  branch  and  near  its 
mouth : 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


167 


Hazard  Coal. 

Shale  .10  ft. 

Coal  6" 

Shale  1" 

Coal  5" 

Shale  1" 

Coal  69" 

Altitude,  1140. 

The  lower  thirty  inches  is  block  coal  with  plates  of 
splint.  That  these  two  similar  sections  are  on  separate 
beds  is  evident  in  the  passage  from  one  opening  to  the 
other.  In  addition  to  the  shale  roof,  there  is  a bed  of 
sandstone  between  them.  The  analysis  of  the  Flag  coal, 
taken  from  Bulletin  No.  11,  is: 

Analysis. 


Moisture  — 2.48 

Volatile  matter  85.51 

Fixed  carbon  52.43 

Ash  9.58 

Sulphur  1.05 

Phosphorus  -----  0.033 

Specific  gravity  1.337 

Coke  62.01 

Total  carbon  - 70.95 

B.  T.  U 12,958 


At  the  mouth  of  the  same  branch  the  Haddix  coal, 
or  a part  of  it,  14  inches  thick,  lies  at  an  altitude  of 
1,060.  From  the  head  of  this  branch,  across  the  divide, 
half  a mile  down  Grapevine  creek,  on  its  right  and  below 
the  trail  is  a ten-yard  entry  which  from  its  altitude  is 
presumed  to  be  on  the  Hazard  coal.  Water  in  the  entry 
prevented  ascertaining  the  thickness  better  than  is  given 
here  and  may  have  concealed  a parting  at  the  bottom : 

Hazard  Coal. 

Shale  7 ft. 

Coal  1" 

Shale  1" 

Coal  5" 

Shale  1" 

Coal  6" 

Shale  1" 

Coal  60" 

Altitude,  1135. 


168 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


This  opening  augers  well  for  continuity  in  thickness 
in  this  direction. 


SIXTEEN  MILE  CREEK. 

Altitude  of  mouth,  925. 

On  the  right,  half  a mile  up,  at  water  level  (965)  is 
exposed  two  feet  of  coal  and  shale  at  the  base  of  a shale 
cliff  about  65  feet  high.  Two  limestone  seams  about  six 
inches  thick  traverse  this  cliff  at  heights  of  35  and  45 
feet. 

On  a left  branch,  1%  miles  up  a two-yard  entry, 
fallen  in,  still  shows  somewhat  over  5 feet  of  coal  under 
18  inches  of  coal  and  partings  and  those  under  10  feet 
of  shale.  Its  exact  altitude  is  1,192  and  is  indicative  of 
the  Flag  coal. 

Strong  Branch. — On  the  right,  1%  miles  up,  has  ex- 
posed at  its  mouth  (altitude,  995),  30  feet  of  the  shale 
in  the  high  cliff  lower  down  the  creek.  A mile  up  Strong 
branch,  on  the  right,  beside  the  trail  to  Grapevine  creek, 
a four-yard  wet  entry  gives  the  following  section : 

Hazard  Coal. 


Sandstone  5 ft. 

Shale  12  ft. 

Coal  2" 

Shale  1" 

Coal  4" 

Shale  3" 

Coal  68" 


Altitude,  1165. 

The  similiarity  in  this  vicinity  of  the  Hazard  and 
Flag  coals,  only  40  feet  apart,  makes  correlation  espec- 
ially uncertain  in  isolated  openings.  Altitude  here  is 
the  only  guide  and  that  appears  to  place  this  coal  as  of 
the  Hazard  bed. 

I 

Hiram  Branch  is  on  the  left,  two  miles  up  Sixteen 
Mile  creek.  Altitude  of  mouth,  1,060.  On  the  right,  at 
the  mouth  of  Hiram  branch  a prospect  on  the  Flag  coal 
gives  the  following  section : 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  Fiver 


169 


Flag  Coal. 


Sandstone  24" 

Shale  18" 

Coal  1" 

Shale  6" 

Coal  2" 

Shale  3" 

Coal  52" 


Altitude,  1220. 

In  this  vicinity  there  is  but  little  difference  in  the 
appearance  of  the  Flag  and  Hazard  coals,  each  being  in 
the  main,  block  coal  with  more  or  less  splint  coal  inter- 
leaved. In  this  Flag  opening  there  appears  to  be  a 
little  more  splint  coal  than  the  Hazard  bed  lias  shown. 
An  opening  here  on  the  Hazard  bed  at  altitude  1,180, 
was  so  fallen  in  when  visited  that  little  coal  could  be 
seen,  but  a thick  bed  was  evident.  On  the  left,  at  the 
mouth  of  the  branch,  the  Haddix  coal  appears  to  be  cut 
out  by  sandstone  which  forms  a 20-foot  cliff  from  the 
branch.  In  a drain  cutting  into  this  sandstone,  % mile 
up  the  branch,  is  three  feet  of  alternating  coal  and  sand- 
stone and  for  the  next  % mile  or  more,  up  to  the  first 
left-hand  branch  and  in  the  point  of  the  hill  beyond,  the 
stain  of  the  bed  is  conspicuous  at  this  level.  On  the 
left,  half  a mile  up,  a prospect  five  feet  above  the  branch, 
partly  covered,  shows  some  3%  feet  of  coal  bed  with 
one  thin  parting  visible.  This,  the  Haddix  coal,  at  alti- 
tude 1,090,  goes  below  drainage  % mile  up  the  branch, 
having  there  a black  slate  floor.  On  the  right,  one  mile 
up  and  20  feet  above  the  branch,  the  Hazard  coal  was 
opened  and,  partly  covered,  still  shows  the  following 
section : 


Hazard  Coal. 


Shale. 

Sandstone  

Coal  

Shale  

Coal  

Altitude,  1180. 


2 ft. 
25" 

6" 

48" -f  • 


170 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


It  is  probable  that  the  lower  48  inches  or  more  is 
all  coal,  giving  a bed  of  somewhat  over  6 feet  of  coal 
with  but  6 inches  of  parting. 

On  the  left,  y8  mile  above  Hiram  branch  under  6 
feet  of  shale  (in  contrast  with  the  exposure  along  Hiram 
branch),  the  Haddix  bed  has  been  opened  at  altitude 
1,085.  This  opening,  fallen  in,  still  showed  a bed  over 
5 feet  thick,  including  a parting  of  5 or  6 inches  about 
18  inches  from  the  bottom.  The  floor  is  a black  slate. 
This  opening,  as  well  as  those  on  Hiram  branch,  are  on 
Wilson  CampbelPs  land.  Coal  of  unknown  thickness, 
reported  taken  from  the  creek,  2 y2  miles  up,  altitude 
1,120,  is  probably  of  the  Haddix  bed. 

LOW  GAP  BRANCH. 

On  the  left  of  Lost  creek,  % mile  above  Sixteen 
Mile  creek.  Altitude  of  mouth,  945. 

Shales  are  exposed  on  this  branch  almost  completely 
up  to  the  Haddix  coal,  which  is  opened  in  a right  drain 
% mile  up  and  has  about  33  inches  of  coal,  without  part- 
ing, lying  under  25  feet  of  sandstone.  Altitude,  1,035. 

On  the  left  of  Lost  creek,  % mile  above  Sixteen  Mile 
creek,  two  short  entries,  the  higher  one  100  yards  far- 
ther up  stream  than  the  lower  one,  gave  the  following 
sections : 


Haddix  Coal. 


Sandstone  7 ft. 

Coal  39" 

Knife  edge  parting. 

Coal  7" 

Altitude,  1030. 


Hazard  Coal. 


Sandstone  6 ft. 

Shale  . 6 ft. 

Coal  15" 

Shale  1" 

Coal  61" 


Altitude,  1140. 


The  sandstone  over  the  Hazard  bed  is  here  ex- 
tremely friable.  These  and  the  next  preceding  Low 
Gap  branch  opening,  are  on  Mahlon  Jones’  land. 

On  the  right,  one  mile  above  Sixteen  Mile,  a pros- 
pect into  the  Hazard  bed  shows,  under  5 feet  of  shale, 
about  6 feet  total  thickness,  including  9 inches  of  shale 
one  inch  from  the  top.  Altitude,  1,155. 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


171 


WILL  BRANCH. 

On  the  left,  1%  miles  above  Sixteen  Mile  creek. 

A half  mile  up  this  branch,  on  the  right  fork  and  15 
feet  above  it,  Mahlon  Jones  has  a ten-yard  entry  into 
the  Haddix  bed  showing  46  inches  of  coal  under  10  feet 
of  sandstone.  Altitude,  1,075.  This  is  a hard,  bright, 
block  coal  containing  a little  splint. 

CAMP  BRANCH. 

On  the  right,  1%  miles  above  Sixteen  Mile  creek. 

No  coal  in  condition  to  measure  was  found  on  this 
branch,  but  the  following  section  was  obtained: 


Cannel  coal  and  black  slate  (thin).. -.1320 

Flag  coal  (?)  (prospect)  ...1210 

Coal  (reported  about  18  inches)  1125 

50-foot  sandstone  1055 

15-foot  sandstone  103“ 


The  sandstones  are  exposed  in  the  bed  of  the  branch 
from  14  to  y2  mile  up  it  and  the  coals  have  been  incom- 
pletely opened  on  the  right  V2  mile  up.  The  place  of 
the  Haddix  coal  appears  to  be  in  the  5-foot  interval  be- 
tween the  two  sandstones,  giving  about  the  usual  inter- 
val to  the  Flag  coal  at  1,210.  The  18-inch  coal  is  then 
probably  30  to  40  feet  below  the  Hazard  bed.  The  can- 
nel coal  is  probably  about  50  feet  below  the  Hindman 
bed. 

On  the  right  of  Lost  creek,  above  Camp  branch,  the 
Haddix  coal  has  been  opened  but  has  been  entirely 
covered  again.  Apparently  a thick  coal  was  found.  Its 
altitude  is  1,050. 


BOWMAN  BRANCH. 

On  the  left,  2 miles  above  Sixteen  Mile  creek. 

On  the  left,  % mile  up  this  branch,  N.  Combs  has  a 
prospect  into  the  Haddix  bed,  giving  nearly  or  quite 
60  inches  of  clean  coal  at  altitude  1,070.  Five  feet  of 
shale  covers  this  coal  with  15  feet  of  sandstone  over 
that. 


172 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


At  J.  E.  Campbell’s,  on  the  left,  2%  miles  above 
Sixteen  Mile  and  % mile  below  Rock  fork,  an  entry  is 
driven  into  the  Haddix  coal  at  altitude  1,070,  which 
gives  at  its  mouth  64  inches  of  coal,  but  10  yards  in  a 
roll  has  cut  it  down  to  40  inches.  The  entry  was  then 
driven  to  the  left  alongside  the  roll  for  about  20  yards 
and  continued  in  thick  coal,  56  inches  at  the  face.  The 
parting  seen  on  an  earlier  visit  is  not  continuous.  The 
coal  is  a fine,  hard,  bright  block.  Analysis  made  by  the 
survey  of  my  sample  of  this  coal  gave  the  following  re- 
sults : 


Haddix  Coal. 


Moisture  2.09 

Volatile  matter  38.61 

Fixed  carbon  54.21 

Ash  5.09 

Sulphur  0.83 

Phosphorus  0.007 

Coke  59.30 

Specific  gravity  1.297 

Fixed  carbon  74.24 

B.  T.  U.  14,018 


ROCK  FORK. 

On  the  left,  2%  miles  above  Sixteen  Mile  creek.  Al- 
titude of  mouth,  1,040. 

In  the  cliff  on  the  left  at  the  mouth  of  this  fork  and 
30  feet  above  it,  a thin  coal  was  reported  found  which  is 
evidently  the  Haddix,  indicating  that  the  roll  found  in 
the  Campbell  entry  continues  indefinitely  up  Lost  creek. 
On  the  left,  at  the  head  of  Rock  fork  and  % mile  up,  a 
prospect  on  Dr.  Jones’  land  gives: 

Flag  Coal. 

Shale  5 ft. 

Coal  8" 

Shale  2" 

Coal  71" 

Altitude,  1240. 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


173 


This  is  a block  coal,  the  lower  30  inches  hard. 

Considerable  prospecting  appears  to  have  been  done 
above  Rock  fork  in  search  for  the  Hazard  coal,  under 
the  supposition  that  it  might  rise  with  or  faster  than 
Lost  creek,  but  without  success.  The  coal  is  apparently 
completely  cut  out  by  sandstone  a quarter  of  a mile 
above  Rock  fork  and  is  certainly  under  drainage  at  the 
month  of  Laurel  fork. 

LAUREL  FORK. 

On  the  right,  1 mile  above  Rock  fork.  Altitude  of 
mouth,  1,110. 

Massive  and  tliin-bedded  sandstones  are  exposed 
along  this  branch  with  little  break  to  the  Hazard  coal, 
but  at  the  mouth  of  a branch  % mile  up  the  following 
intervenes : 

Sandstone. 


Shale  5 ft. 

Coal  3" 

Fire-clay  2 ft. 


Altitude,  1135. 

At  the  forks  of  the  creek,  a mile  up,  is  22  inches  of 
coal  under  8 feet  of  shale — the  Hazard  bed  or  part  of  it, 
at  altitude  1,170.  On  the  left,  a quarter  mile  up  the 
right  fork  and  10  feet  above  it,  an  incomplete  prospect 
in  a broken  hillside  gives  the  following  in  which  the 
upper  bench  of  coal  is  a squeezed,  shapeless  mass  and 
the  lower  bench,  partly  covered,  may  contain  a parting: 

Flag  Coal. 


Massive  sandstone  ....  5 ft. 

Coal  2i/2  ft. 

Shale  9" 

Coal  4 ft. 

Altitude,  1220. 


By  means  of  this  opening  combined  with  those  on 
the  Flag  coal  on  Rock  fork  and  with  the  Malilon  Jones 
opening  into  the  same  bed,  a northwest  dip  of  about  50 
feet  per  mile  is  found.  If  the  dip  were  uniform  the  22 


174 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


inches  of  coal  at  altitude  1,170  must  be  at  about  1,155 
at  the  mouth  of  Laurel  branch,  giving  strata  practically 
level  to  the  coal  next  mentioned  up  Lost  creek,  but  with 
their  depression  here  as  usual  along  the  main  streams, 
there  still  remains  a slight  rise  of  strata  up  Lost  creek 
which  continues  to  its  head. 

On  the  right,  two  miles  above  Rock  fork,  at  Robert 
Combs’  (formerly  Fish  Napier’s)  on  the  right  of  the 
hollow,  the  stain  of  the  Hazard  bed  shows,  unfavorably, 
under  five  feet  of  shale  at  altitude  1,185  and  a new  three- 
yard  entry  into  the  Flag  coal  gives  48  inches  of  coal 
under  10  feet  of  sandstone.  Altitude,  1,240. 

On  the  left,  2V>  miles  above  Rock  fork  and  by  the 
road  ascending  the  hill  at  the  head  of  Lost  creek,  is  an 
exposure  which,  combined  with  an  opening  beyond,  be- 
low the  road,  gives  the  following : 

Flag  Coal. 


Sandstone  8 ft. 

Coal  34" 

Hard  parting  ..y±" 

Coal  19" 

Altitude,  1245. 

Interval  (shaly  S.  S.) 

Sandstone  5 ft. 

Shale  5 ft. 

Coal  7" 

Shale  3 ft. 

Altitude,  1215. 


It  appears  that  the  Hazard  bed  is  reduced  on 
Laurel  fork  to  22  inches  and  to  7 inches  here,  but  it  is 
not  impossible  that  the  seam  splits  and  this  thin  seam 
represents  only  a part  of  the  bed  and  that  the  main  body 
of  the  coal  is  a few  feet  below. 

A reported  48  inches  of  fine  coal  on  the  level  of  the 
gap  to  Lot’s  creek  and  150  yards  to  the  right  of  it,  at 
altitude  1,405,  is  of  the  Hindman  bed  unless  the  anti- 
cline here  is  sharper  than  supposed  and  the  next  bed 
below  is  brought  up  to  this  level. 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


175 


LOTS  CREEK. 

The  altitude  of  the  mouth  of  this  creek  is  about  820, 
that  of  the  highway  bridge  there  being  842. 

Heavy  sandstone  underlying  the  Fire-clay  coal 
makes  a rockliouse  into  which  the  highway  goes  just 
above  the  mouth  of  the  creek,  about  6 inches  of  coal  at 
altitude  835  (probably  an  off-shoot  from  the  Whitesburg 
coal),  showing  at  the  base  of  the  cliff.  Farther  up  the 
creek  the  road  rises  to  the  top  of  that  sandstone  and 
the  stain  of  the  Fire-clay  bed  is  visible  in  several  places 
and  the  sandstone  above  it  has  become  shaly  giving 
place  almost  altogether  to  shale  farther  up  the  stream. 
An  opening  into  this  bed  on  the  Dark  fork  (Helen  Combs) 
branch,  is  taken  from  Bulletin  No.  11  with  corrected  al- 
titude : 


Fire-clay  Coal. 


Sandstone  20  ft. 

Shale  or  S.  S 18" 

Coal  37" 

Altitude,  890. 


TRACE  FORK. 

On  the  left,  1 mile  up  Lots  creek.  Altitude  of  mouth, 

825. 

On  the  right,  one  mile  up,  the  Holliday  entry  on  the 
Fire-clay  coal  shows  41  inches  of  coal,  with  one  inch  part- 
ing three  inches  from  the  top,  at  altitude  890.  The  bed 
goes  below  drainage  l1/^  mile  up,  % m^e  above  Jake  fork, 
about  where  two  inches  of  coal,  a remnant  possibly  of  its 
rider,  shows  on  the  right  under  20  feet  of  sandstone  and 
above  4 feet  of  shale. 

LOST  CREEK  ROAD  FORK. 

On  the  left  of  Trace  fork  and  1 y2  miles  up  it. 

On  the  right,  a mile  up  this  fork,  the  Haddix  coal 
is  opened  in  a long  rockhouse  and  also  beside  its  eastern 
end.  From  these  places  the  following  measurements 
were  obtained : 


176 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  Fiver 


Haddix  Coal. 


Under  Cliff. 


Coal  38" 

Shale  30" 

Coal  3" 

Shale  3" 

Coal  16" 


10  Yards  East. 


Coal  34" 

Shale  11" 

Coal  19" 


Altitude,  1160. 


The  correspondence  in  thickness  of  the  two  coal 
seams  of  this  eastern  section  with  those  of  the  Flag  coal 
at  the  head  of  Lost  creek,  would  ordinarily  lead  to  their 
correlation,  but  there  is  no  other  reason  for  supposing 
such  an  extreme  reversal  through  Lost  mountain,  of  the 
general  dip  as  that  would  entail.  Even  assuming  the 
Bond  fork  opening  to  be  of  the  Haddix  bed  (which  is 
done  with  confidence)  and  the  Fire-clay  coal  to  be  200 
feet  under  it,  a slight  dip  down  stream  and  against  the 
general  dip  is  involved.  Following  the  road  up  from 
this  coal  the  bench  of  the  Hazard  coal  is  very  evident  at 
altitude  1,245  and  35  feet  of  sandstone  above  the  Flag 
coal  at  altitude  1,300.  Forty  feet  more  of  sandstone 
shows  from  1,365  to  the  gap  at  1,406  where  the  Hindman 
coal  should  be  found : 30  feet  above  the  gap  some  40  to 
50  feet  of  sandstone  cliffs  appear. 


Pigeon  Roost  Road  Fork. — On  the  right  of  the  Lost 
creek  road  fork,  % mile  up  from  Trace  fork.  Altitude  of 
mouth,  1,000. 

In  the  point  of  a hill  where  it  is  likely  coal  in  a nor- 
mal condition  could  not  be  found,  a quarter  mile  up  this 
fork,  an  old  prospect  gives: 


Haddix  Coal. 


Sandstone  2 ft. 

Coal  15" 

Shale  1" 

Coal  15" 

Shale  10" 

Coal  (possible)  24" 

Altitude,  1115. 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


177 


Under  this  prospect  an  exposure  shows : 


Shale  30  ft. 

Black  slate  6" 

Fire-clay  18" 


Altitude,  1045. 

Apparently  the  Hamlin  coal  is  cut  out  here. 

By  the  road,  % mile  up,  a foot  of  coal  and  shale  on 
a 10-foot  sandstone  cliff  appears  to  represent  at  least  a 
part  of  the  Haddix  bed  at  altitude  1,130.  In  a branch 
on  the  right,  % mile  up,  thin  bedded  sandstone  occupies 
the  apparent  place  of  the  Haddix  bed  at  1,125  to  1,130 
and  35  feet  of  massive  sandstone  lies  directly  on  that, 
but  an  error  in  heights  is  possible  or  the  coal  may  have 
dipped  below  the  sandstone.  A quarter  mile  up  and  in 
the  branch,  coal  reported  23  inches  thick  has  been 
opened.  Nearby,  on  the  head  of  Trace  fork,  this  coal 
lies  55  feet  above  the  Haddix  bed.  On  the  left  of  the 
road,  a few  yards  up  from  the  foot  of  the  hill  and  one 
mile  from  the  Lost  creek  road  is ; 


Flag  Coal. 

Massive  sandstone  ....  5 ft. 

Shale  10  ft. 

Hard,  block  coal  46" 


Altitude,  1260. 

At  water  level,  two  miles  up  Trace  fork  the  follow- 
ing section  is  exposed: 


Sandstone  5 ft. 

Shale  ...15  ft. 

Black  slate  6" 

Coal  1" 

Shale  1 ft. 

Sandstone  2 ft. 

Altitude,  1030. 


The  black  slate  here  is  evidently  the  same  as  that 
on  Pigeon  Roost  Road  fork  at  altitude  1,045. 

On  the  left  at  this  point  is  a prospect  into  the  Flag 
coal  which  is  remarkably  similar  to  the  one  given  on 
Pigeon  Roost  branch  of  Troublesome  creek: 


178 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


Flag  Coal. 


Sandstone  3 ft. 

Coal  34" 

Black  slate  12" 

Shale  5" 

Coal  11" 

Shale  2" 

Coal  4" 


Altitude,  1310. 

On  the  left,  % mile  farther  up,  is  an  opening  now 
closed,  into  the  Haddix  bed  at  altitude  1,150.  This  was 
given  in  Bulletin  No.  11  as  “Hazard.”  The  section  is: 


Haddix  Coal. 


Shale  

5 

Coal  

11' 

Shale  

13' 

Coal  

38' 

Altitude,  1150. 

Opposite  this,  on  the  right  of  Trace  fork,  the  Hazard 
coal  is  now  open  in  a twenty-yard  entry  as  follows  : 

Hazard  Coal. 


Shaly  sandstone  3 ft. 

Shale  2 ft. 

Coal  53" 

Altitude,  1250. 


Between  the  Haddix  and  Hazard  beds  is  here  re- 
ported a coal  18  inches  thick,  the  Young  coal,  at  altitude 
1,205.  These  Trace  fork  openings  are  on  land  of  Charles 
Godsey. 

Jake  Fork. — On  the  right,  1 mile  up  Trace  fork. 
Altitude  of  mouth,  880. 

The  Fire-clay  coal,  lying  nearly  level,  goes  under 
this  stream  about  *4  mile  up  it  and  beyond  this  the 
shales  of  the  high  cliff  on  Fifteen  Mile  creek  of  Lost 
creek  are  recognized,  but  with  some  variations.  At 
water  level,  % mile  up,  is  five  feet  or  more  of  black 
slate,  altitude  920,  and  1%  miles  up  the  following  sec- 
tion with  base  at  the  creek : 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


179 


Sandstone  

15  ft. 

Shale  

18" 

Coal  

6" 

Fire-clay  

2y2  ft. 

Shale  

5 ft. 

Altitude,  940. 

One-eighth  mile  farther  up  three  thin  coals  appear 
in  the  10  feet  of  shale  under  the  sandstone. 

Sang  Fork. — On  the  left,  1%  miles  up  Jake  fork. 

On  the  right,  % mile  up,  a wet  entry  gives  at  its 
mouth  47  inches  of  coal  under  5 feet  of  sandstone  at 
altitude  1,220.  The  under  surface  of  the  sandstone  un- 
dulates in  slight  curves,  the  top  of  the  coal  apparently 
conforming  to  this  uneven  surtace.  The  entry  is  prob- 
ably in  the  Hazard,  though,  according  to  the  altitude  ob- 
tained, it  appears  to  be  too  high  for  that  bed,  and  there- 
fore was  previously  doubtfully  ascribed  to  the  Flag  bed. 

On  the  left  of  Jake  fork,  a quarter  of  a mile  above 
Sang  fork  and  the  same  distance  due  south  of  the  pre- 
ceding entry,  the  same  bed  at  the  same  height,  has  50 
inches  of  coal,  the  lower  20  inches  particularly  bright, 
rich  looking  and  hard.  Thirty  feet  below  both  of  these 
openings  is  a prominent  bench,  altitude  1,190,  some  20 
feet  below  which  should  be  the  Young  coal. 

On  the  right  of  a right  branch,  'ZV2  miles  up  Jake 
fork,  Noah  Smith  has  an  abandoned  entry  in  which  IV2 
feet  of  coal  could  be  seen ; the  bed  is  probably  4 feet  or 
more  thick,  under  5 feet  of  shale  and  shaly  sandstone. 
It  is  the  Haddix  coal  at  altitude  1,160.  On  the  same 
land,  % mile  farther  up  Jake  fork,  a.  seven-yard  entry 
gives  the  following: 

Flag  Coal. 


Sandstone  4 ft. 

Coal  21" 

Blackjack  3" 

Shale  3" 

Coal  13" 


Altitude,  1300. 


180 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


On  the  point  of  the  spur  between  these  two  Smith 
openings  an  uprooted  tree  has  exposed  an  abundant 
stain  of  the  Hazard  bed  at  altitude  1,255. 

Going  up  the  left  fork  from  the  Smith  openings, 
strata  are  seen  to  rise  with  unusual  rapidity,  faster  than 
the  rise  of  the  creek,  and  shales  continue  conspicuous. 
At  2%  miles  up,  on  the  right  of  the  upper  left  fork,  a 
covered  prospect  gives  coal  at  altitude  1,145  with  5 feet 
of  sandstone  10  feet  above  the  bottom  of  the  cut  and 
20  feet  of  shale  below  it  to  near  drainage  level.  On  the 
left,  at  the  head  of  this  fork,  3 miles  up,  a closed  open- 
ing shows  a coal  bed  4%  to  5 feet  thick  under  10  feet  of 
shales.  This  is  said  to  have  been  recognized  as  of  the 
Flag  bed  although  its  altitude,  1,405,  is  above  even  that 
which  the  observed  rise  of  the  strata  along  the  creek 
leads  one  to  expect,  involving  a rate  from  the  Smith 
opening  of  about  200  feet  per  mile.  Assuming  it  to  be 
the  Flag  bed,  the  high  hill  in  which  it  is  opened  appears 
to  be  a center  from  which  strata  dip  in  all  directions. 
With  such  the  case,  the  coal  at  altitude  1,145  is  then  the 
Hamlin. 

On  the  left,  at  the  mouth  of  a branch  of  Lots  creek 
opposite  Trace  fork,  the  Fire-clay  coal  is  opened  32 
inches  thick  with  4 inches  of  shale  and  then  sandstone 
above  it,  altitude  885.  On  the  left,  by  the  road,  1% 
miles  up  Lots  creek,  the  following  section  was  taken : 

Fire-clay  Coal. 

Massive  sandstone  ....20  ft. 

Shale,  containing  coal  2 ft. 

Shale  2 ft. 

Coal  36" 

On  the  right,  21/4  miles  up  Lots  creek,  a twelve- 
yard  entry  into  the  Fire-clay  coal  gives  a thickness  of 
coal  of  38  inches  at  (exact)  altitude  889.  For  other 
openings  into  this  bed  and  its  rider  along  this  creek, 
reference  is  made  to  Bulletin  No.  11,  pages  93  and  94. 
Under  the  D.  Grigsby  opening  is  20  feet  of  thin  bedded 
sandstone,  then  10  feet  of  shale  on  one  foot  of  coal, 
then  3 feet  of  massive  sandstone  to  the  creek.  This  one 
foot  of  coal  dips  into  the  creek  10  yards  down  it.  The 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


181 


upper  opening',  on  tlie  right,  2 y2  miles  up,  has  now  a 
long  exposure  above  the  creek  from  which  the  follow- 
ing section  was  obtained,  excepting  that  cf  the  cannel 
coal,  which  being  now  covered,  its  earlier  measurement 
is  repeated.  The  two  beds  are  about  20  feet  apart. 


Massive  sandstone  ....15  ft. 


^ Coal  

25" 

Rider 

J Shale  

8" 

[ Coal  

25" 

Shale  

10  ft. 

Sandstone  

....0  to  5 ft, 

rCoal  

24" 

Fireclay  Coal 

J Slate  

2" 

^Cannel  coal 

22" 

Altitude,  900. 

On  the  left,  about  3 miles  up  the  creek,  the  Hazard 
bed,  with  3-incli  parting  separating  two  seams  of  coal 
each  22  inches  thick,  lies  at  altitude  1,185. 

On  the  left,  5%  miles  up,  opposite  the  mouth  of  Elk 
fork,  the  following  section  is  exposed : 


Massive  sandstone  ....15  ft. 
Coal. 

Interval  10  ft. 

Thin  coal. 

Parting  1 ft. 

Thin  coal. 

Interval  20  ft. 

Sandstone  5 ft. 

Coal  27" 

Shale  and  S.  S.  to 
creek  20  ft. 


Altitude  of  lowest  coal,  965. 


Whether  the  above  27  inches  of  coal  is  of  the  Fire- 
clay bed  or  its  rider,  is  doubtful,  but  the  probability 
seems  to  be  that  both  beds  are  represented  in  the  sev- 
eral coals  shown. 


182 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


ELK  FORK. 

On  the  right,  5%  miles  up  Lots  creek:  Altitude  of 
mouth,  945. 

Nothing  new  has  been  found  on  this  fork,  but  the 
54  inches  of  clean  coal  on  the  upper  right  fork  given  in 
Bulletin  No.  11,  page  95,  is  evidently,  under  later  de- 
velopments, too  high  for  the  Hazard  bed  and  is  of  the 
Flag  bed.  Its  corrected  altitude  is  1,325. 

CLEAR  FORK. 

On  the  left,  6 miles  up  Lots  creek:  Altitude  of 
mouth,  960. 

On  a branch  on  the  left,  % mile  up  Clear  fork,  on 
the  left,  !4  mile  up  it,  Sylvester  Grigsby  has  an  entry 
into  the  Hazard*  coal  at  altitude  1,305,  giving  58  inches 
of  clean  coal  under  15  feet  of  sandstone — the  lower 
third  thin  bedded.  This  is  on  a good  bench  and  the  top 
of  the  cliff  rock  on  which  is  the  Haddix*  bed,  shows  40 
feet  below. 


On  the  left  of  Clear  fork,  1%  miles  up  it,  Wash- 
ington Martin  has  a five-yard  entry  into  the  Haz- 
ard coal  at  altitude  1,270:  the  coal,  having  10  feet  of 
sandstone  above  it,  is  60  inches  thick,  the  top  4 inches 
rather  shelly,  the  rest  good  block  coal,  the  under  half 
hard.  A broad  bench  lies  about  40  feet  below. 

On  the  right  of  a left  branch,  1 y2  miles  up  Clear 
fork  and  Vs  mile  up  the  branch,  an  old  prospect  into 
tlie  Haddix  bed  on  this  same  broad  bench  at  altitude 
1,220,  found  evidently  only  thin  coal,  now  covered.  On 
the  right,  14  mile  up  the  branch,  Washington  Martin  has 
a four-yard  entry  with  60  inches  of  coal  which  has  here 
as  roof  8 feet  of  clay  shale  in  place  of  sandstone. 

On  the  right  of  a left  branch,  1%  miles  up  Clear 
fork  and  on  the  left  of  a left  branch  100  yards  beyond, 
Benjamin  Stacey  has  ten-yard  and  six-yard  entries  with 
the  following  sections: 


These  coals  were  correlated  as  Flag:  and  Hazard  in  former  reports. 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


183 


Hazard  Coal. 


Shale  . 8 ft. 

Coal  20" 

Mother  coal  f4" 

Coal  46" 


Altitude,  1315. 


Hazard  Coal. 

Shale  3 ft. 

Massive  sandstone  2 ft. 

Coal  - 63" 

Bituminous  shale  1" 

Altitude,  1310. 


A 20-foot  cliff  is  prominent  about  40  feet  above  this 
bed  which  lies  here  15  to  20  feet  above  a bench. 

On  the  left,  by  the  road,  6V2  miles  up  Lots  creek, 
the  highest  coal  of  those  shown  opposite  the  mouth  of 
Elk  fork,  60  feet  above  it,  has  2 feet  of  coal  including 
two  thin  partings,  under  5 feet  of  sandstone. 

On  a right  branch,  7 miles  up,  a flagstone  quarry 
on  the  left  at  the  mouth  of  the  branch,  lies  at  altitude 
1,185,  while  farther  up  the  branch  a bench  at  1,205 
marks  the  place  of  the  Haddix  coal.  A second  bench 
and  spring  by  the  path  beyond,  seem  to  show  the  loca- 
tion of  the  Young  bed  between  the  Haddix  and  Hazard 
at  altitude  1,270.  At  the  branch  a half  mile  up  it  the 
following  is  opened  in  a ten-yard  entry: 

Flag  Coal. 


Sandstone  15  ft. 

Shelly  coal  3" 

Rich  block  coal  23" 

Hard  block  coal 30" 

Slaty  coal  6" 

Altitude,  1345. 


Besides  these  variations  in  the  coal  there  is  from 
0 to  6 inches  of  slaty  coal  2 feet  up  from  the  bottom. 

On  the  left  of  a right  hollow,  7%  miles  up  Lots 
creek  and  just  below  Cordia  P.  O.,  B.  W.  Combs  has  an 
eight-yard  wet  entry  into  the  Flag  bed  at  altitude  1,390, 
giving  53  inches  of  coal  under  2 feet  of  massive  sand- 
stone with  thinner  bedded  sandstone  above.  On  the  way 
to  this  entry  an  uprooted  tree  showed  a considerable 
stain  of  the  Hazard  bed  at  1,345.  On  the  point  of  the 
hill  to  the  left  by  the  Combs  house,  the  following  section 
was  obtained: 


184 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


Bench  

Shaly  sandstone (5  feet) 

Mostly  shaly  sandstone. 

Thin  coal  stain  

Mostly  shaly  sandstone  with  iron  ore. 


Black  slate 

Shaly  sandstone. 

Bastard  limestone (1  foot) 

Thin  coal  

Shaly  S.  S.  and  shale. 

Coal,  reported  20"  

Shale  .....(8  feet) 

Coal,  reported  20"  

Shale  (7  feet) 

Coal,  reported  30"  

Fire-clay  (3  feet) 

Creek  at  Cordia  


1,150 

1,135 

1,105 

1,090 

1,060 

1,035 

1,025 

1,015 

995 


Tlie  three  lower  coals  probably  represent  again  the 
Fire-clay  coal  and  its  rider. 


DICKSON  BRANCH. 

On  the  right,  8%  miles  up  Lots  creek:  Altitude  of 
mouth,  1,005. 

On  the  left  of  the  branch,  y8  mile  up  it  and  15  feet 
above  it,  a two-yard  entry  into  what  is  probably  the 
upper  seam  of  the  rider,  gives  31  inches  of  coal  at  alti- 
tude 1,050,  covered  by  4 feet  of  shale  with  calcareous 
concretions  under  10  feet  of  shaly  sandstone. 

At  the  branch,  % mile  up,  is  the  following: 


Black  slate  10  ft. 

Coal  8" 

Shale  5 ft 

Coal. 

Shale  with  coal  ...10  ft. 

Shale  to  creek  at  alti- 
tude, 1,100  15  ft 


Such  a thickness  of  black  slate  as  is  exposed  at  the 
top  seems  to  be  entirely  out  of  place,  but  it  is  at  a level 
where  exposures  are  few.  Above  this  section,  on  the 
left,  Alexander  Smith  has  a four-yard  wet  entry  into 


North  Fork  or  Kentucky  River  185 

the  Flag  coal  at  altitude  1,385.  There  is  somewhat  over 
4%  feet  of  coal  here,  the  bottom  half  a hard  block  with 
a streak  of  bony  coal  on  top  of  it.  The  roof  is  a waving 
sandstone  with  shale  filling  the  rolls  so  that  the  coal 
has  a level  top,  differing  in  that  respect  from  the  Sang 
fork  of  Jake  fork  coal.  A bench  of  the  Hazard  bed  lies 
about  60  feet  below  this  coal. 

Coal  18  inches  thick  containing  considerable  py- 
rites, is  reported  to  have  been  taken  from  the  creek, 
y8  mile  below  Flic  P.  0.,  at  the  junction  of  Youngs  fork 
and  Kelly  fork.  It  is  probably  the  middle  one  of  the 
three  seams  at  Cordia  and  the  main  Fire-clay  coal  may 
be  assumed  to  lie  at  Flic  at  altitude  1,050,  10  feet  under 
the  creek. 


YOUNG’S  FORK. 

On  the  left,  9%  miles  up  Lots  creek.  Altitude  of 
mouth,  1,060. 

On  the  left,  % mile  up  this  fork,  the  upper  one  of 
the  rider  seams  is  but  just  above  the  creek,  and  shows 
26  inches  of  coal  at  altitude  1,075,  lying  on  black  slate 
and  under  8 feet  of  shale  covered  by  25  feet  of  sand- 
stone and  shale. 

Buck  Branch. — On  the  left,  y2  mile  up  Young’s 
fork. 

At  the  branch,  % mile  up  it,  Mansard  Young  has  an 
opening  into  the  Hazard  coal  at  altitude  1,385,  reported 
to  be  4 y2  feet  thick  without  parting.  The  3 feet  of  coal 
visible  when  visited  has  2 inches  of  bone  coal  6 inches 
from  the  top.  Upon  the  coal  is  6 feet  of  shaly  sandstone 
and  then  20  feet  of  massive  sandstone. 

On  account  of  the  similarity  in  thickness  of  coal  of 
this  opening  with  the  Flag  entries  near  Cordia  and  on 
Dickson  branch,  and  equal  altitude  with  the  latter,  cor- 
relation with  them  has  been  heretofore  assumed  on  the 
supposition  of  a northwestward  general  dip.  The  fact 
has  not  been  noted  before  that  the  general  dip  in  the 
area  enclosed  by  lines  from  Hazard  to  the  mouth  of 
Carr  fork,  thence  to  Hindman,  to  Dwarf  and  return  to 
Hazard  is  southwestward.  This  is  most  clearly  shown 


186 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


by  altitudes  given  in  these  pages  of  the  Fire-clay  coal 
bed. 

With  this  the  case  the  Buck  branch  coal  falls  below 
the  entries  on  Dickson  branch  and  near  Cordia,  and  is 
confidently  correlated  with  the  Hazard  stain  found  near 
the  latter  at  altitude  1,345. 

While  the  general  dip  within  this  area  is  as  stated, 
it  may  be  found  in  different  localities  varying  in  any 
direction  west  of  north  or  south. 

Following  the  Flag  coal  from  Hazard  up  Lots  creek 
and  the  Hazard  coal  up  Troublesome  until  they  met  in 
apparently  one  bed  provided  a,  difficult  problem  to  solve 
and  led  to  errors  of  correlation,  which  it  is  believed  are 
now  all  corrected. 

On  the  right  of  the  left  branch  of  Youngs  fork, 
which  the  road  to  Beaver  creek  follows,  1%  miles  up 
Youngs  fork  and  % mile  up  the  branch,  Reese  Young  has 
a twelve  yard  entry  with  the  following  section: 

Hazard  Coal. 


Massive  sandstone  ....10  ft. 

Covered  .15  ft. 

Sandstone  roof. 

Coal  3" 

Bony  coal  4" 

Coal  6" 

Hard,  block  coal 38" 

Altitude,  1420. 


The  bony  coal  is  dull  black  and  heavy,  but  gives  a 
black  streak  and  is  said  to  burn  to  fine  ash,  but  the  next 
coal  opening  shows  an  impending  parting  here. 

At  2 miles  up  Youngs  fork,  on  John  Young’s  land, 
coal  has  been  raised  from  the  creek  said  to  be  3 feet  or 
more  thick,  half  as  much  being  in  sight  when  visited. 
It  is  of  the  Haddix  bed  at  altitude  1,340.  At  a point  5 
feet  lower  in  the  branch  a part  of  the  bed  has  broken 
off  and  lies  at  a steep  pitch  showing  about  2 feet  of 
coal,  with  possibly  more  washed  away  and  with  black 
slate  and  shale  under  it,  which  seems  to  correspond  with 
a parting  in  the  bed  on  Elk  Lick  fork  and  is  probably 
one  here. 

Up  the  steep  branch,  at  altitude  1,370,  is  an  old  pros- 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  Kiver 


187 


pect  into  coal  said  to  be  thin,  under  a 20-foot  cliff-mak- 
ing sandstone.  On  this  sandstone  which  gives  rise  to  a 
broad  bench  here,  at  altitude  1,390  is  the  probable  place 
of  the  Young  coal.  The  Hazard  coal  is  opened  in  an 
entry  directly  to  the  left  of  the  coal  in  the  creek,  nearly 
vertically  over  it,  and  with  the  following  section: 

Hazard  Coal. 


Sandstone  8 ft. 

Block  coal  14" 

Shale  13" 

Block  coal  44" 


Black  slate. 

Altitude,  1440. 

An  inch  of  coal  2 inches  from  the  top  is  slightly 
bony. 

Elk  Lick  Fork. — On  the  right,  1 % miles  up  Young 
fork.  Altitude  of  month,  1,140. 

On  the  right,  % mile  up  this  fork,  the  20-foot  sand- 
stone cliff  shows  again  at  altitude  1,345  to  1,365.  A mile 
up,  at  William  Young’s,  the  Haddix  bed  has  the  follow- 
ing section,  as  measured  along  the  creek  bed  where  it  is 
almost  fully  exposed : 


Haddix  Coal. 

Shaly  sandstone. 


Coal  31" 

Black  slate  4" 

Shale  6" 

Black  slate  2" 

Clay  2" 

Coal  14" 


Altitude,  1325. 

The  thickness  given  of  each  coal  seam  may  be 
slightly  in  error. 


KELLY  FORK. 

On  the  right,  9%  miles  up  Lots  creek:  Altitude  of 
mouth,  1,060. 

Apparently  the  upper  of  the  three  Fire-clay  and 


188 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


Rider  coals  goes  below  drainage  mile  up  this  fork, 
where  it  shows  a foot  thick  with  no  bottom  found:  Alti- 
tude, 1,075.  At  Thomas  Kelly’s,  a mile  up,  thin  coals 
appear  above  his^  house  at  altitudes  1,185  and  1,200, 
under  his  flagstone  quarry,  which  latter  is  at  1,255,  with 
shales  and  slialy  sandstones  between.  The  quarry  is 
probably  close  under  the  Haddix  coal  as  on  the  branch 
below  Cordia,  7%  miles  up  the  creek. 

On  the  right,  1%  miles  up,  Benjamin  Everidge  has 
opened  the  Haddix  bed  about  at  the  same  level  as  it 
was  found  on  Elk  Lick  fork,  with  following  section : 

Haddix  Coal. 


Sandstone  5 ft. 

Shale  5 ft. 

Hard,  block  coal  29" 

Shale  3" 

Coal  1" 

Shale  1" 


Very  hard,  block  coal  7" 

Altitude,  1325. 

This  opening  is  on  a broad  bench;  the  height  and 
character  of  the  bed  are  the  main  factors  in  the  correla- 
tion. 


Assuming  the  Fire-clay  coal  to  be  at  altitude  1,050 
at  the  mouth  of  Kelly  fork  and  to  rise  uniformly  to  its 
upper  opening  on  Trace  fork  of  Irishman  creek,  it 
should  be  at  altitude  1,065  at  this  opening,  and  on  this 
supposition  the  opening  might  be  of  either  the  Young 
or  Hazard  bed,  but  the  findings  on  the  head  of  Yellow 
creek,  a half  mile  south,  lead  to  the  conclusion  that  there 
is  an  anticline  between  Kelly  fork  and  Carr  fork  waters, 
slight  at  the  head  of  Irishman  creek,  but  with  crest  run- 
ning nearly  level  along  the  dividing  ridge,  amounting  to 
100  feet  rise  at  the  head  of  Yellow  creek.  This  makes 
a rather  rapid  rise  of  strata  toward  Yellow  creek  and 
also  puts  the  Fire-clay  coal  nearer  to  the  Everidge  open- 
ing than  if  the  rate  were  uniform  to  Irishman  creek. 

From  % mile  up  a right  branch  2 miles  up  the 
fork,  coal,  partly  splint,  has  been  taken,  said  to  be 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


189 


2 feet  thick.  Its  altitude  is  1,415  and  it  is  probably  of 
the  Young’  bed,  very  likely  the  upper  seam  with  more 
coal  under  what  was  supposed  to  be  the  floor. 

On  the  left  of  the  fork  and  right  of  the  road,  214 
miles  up  it,  coal,  partly  splint,  has  boen  taken  reported 
to  have  3 feet  of  coal  at  the  top,  a parting,  and  3 feet 
more  at  the  bottom  including  two  partings,  one  of  them 
thick.  This  leport  bears  considerable  resemblance  to 
the  bed  section  at  the  Everidge  opening,  and  its  alti- 
tude of  1,400  places  it  in  the  Haddix  bed. 

On  the  left,  21/1>  miles  up  the  fork,  the  same  bod  at 
about  the  same  height  has  been  opened,  but  was  closed 
when  visited  and  only  2lA  feet  of  coal  was  seen  of  an  ap- 
parently thick  bed  covered  by  15  feet  shale. 

On  the  right,  3 miles  up  Kelly  fork,  an  apparently 
thin  coal  was  found  at  altitude  1,505,  which  may  be  of 
the  Hazard  bed,  and  there  is  a b^oad  bench  at  1585 
possibly  indicating  the  place  of  the  Flag  bed.  With 
the  hill  over  this  bed  rising  here  some  300  to  400  feet 
higher,  a good  working  area  of  the  Hindman  bed  is  as- 
sured and  its  8 to  10  feet  of  coal  should  be  prospected 
for  at  some  point  nearer  than  the  head  of  Irishman 
creek,  where  it  has  been  found. 

UPPER  SECOND  ( REEK. 

The  Fire-clay  coal  at  the  mouth  of  this  stream  is, 
as  at  the  mouth  of  Lots  creek,  about  60  feet  above  the 
river.  The  bed  rises  slightly  up  stream  but  is  only  15 
feet  above  drainage,  1*4  miles  up.  Following  are  bed 
sections : 


Fire-clay  Coal. 


Entry  on  the  Right,  % Miles  Up. 


Shale  8 ft. 

Coal  2" 

Shale  2 ft. 

Coal  42" 

Flint  clay  5"-f 

Coal  5"-b 


Altitude,  895. 


James  Payson’s  20-Yard  Entry, 
On  the  Right,  1 Miles  Up. 


Shaly  sandstone  10  ft. 

Coal  41" 

Flint  clay  4" 

Altitude,  905. 


190 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


hi  the  first  the  fire-clay  parting  has  an  uneven, 
knobby  surface  which  may  give  a variation  of  an  inch 
in  the  thickness  of  the  coal  above  it  and  of  the  parting, 
according  as  measurement  is  from  the  top  of  a knob  or 
not.  The  under  coal  is  given  approximately  at  5 inches. 
In  the  upper  entry,  the  middle  one  of  a group  of  three, 
the  coal  measures  41  inches  at  the  mouth  and  face  and 
43  inches  at  the  mouth  of  the  entry  next  above.  The 
fire-clay  forms  the  floor  of  the  entries  with  probably 
more  coal  below.  This  bed  appears  not  to  have  been 
opened  on  this  creek  above  this  group  of  entries. 

Combs  Fork. — On  the  left  of  this  fork,  2%  miles  up 
it,  beside  the  bridle  path  to  Elk  fork  is  a five-yard  wet 
entry  from  which  the  following  was  obtained: 

Flag  Coal. 


Sandstone  5 ft. 

Coal  37" 

Clay  6" 


Altitude,  1280, 

The  depth  of  the  entrance  cutting  admits  of  a few 
inches  more  coal  below  the  clay  which  was  found  to  be 
over  6 inches  thick,  but  if  there  is  any  coal  below,  it  can 
hardly  be  of  much  importance. 

On  the  left  of  the  main  creek, mile  up  from  the 
mouth  of  Combs  fork,  and  by  a path  crossing  to  the  lat- 
ter, an  old  prospect  gives  the  height  of  the  Flag  coal  as 
1,250. 

On  the  right,  14/4  miles  above  Combs  fork,  and  on 
the  left,  1 y2  miles  up,  the  Hazard  coal  gives  the  follow- 
ing: 

Hazard  Coal. 

Ben  Stacey — Wet  Entry — On  right. 

James  Stacey — 5-yard  entry — On  left. 


Slipped  coal.  Sandstone 7 ft. 

Clay.  Block  coal  40" 


Coal  8"  Altitude,  1235. 

Shale  8" 

Coal  12"-f 

Shale  17" 

Coal  37" 

Altitude,  1220. 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


191 


The  lowest  two  feet  of  this  coal,  like  much  of  the 
Flag  coal  at  bottom,  is  a hard  block.  The  higher  seams 
of  the  coal  on  the  right  were  not  in  condition  for  exact 
measurement ; their  entire  absence  on  the  left  is  note- 
worthy. 

Fifty  feet  above  the  Benjamin  Stacey  entry  is  a 
prospect  into  the  Flag  coal,  partly  covered,  apparently 
about  4 feet  thick.  Altitude  1,270. 

James  Stacey  also  has  the  Flag  bed  opened  in  a wet 
entry  on  the  left  in  front  of  his  house,  1%  miles  above 
Combs  fork,  in  which  a bed  4%  feet  or  more  thick  is  evi- 
dent under  8 feet  of  shale.  About  3 feet  of  coal  at  the 
top  was  visible.  Like  the  preceding  it  lies  50  feet  above 
the  Hazard  bed;  its  altitude  is  1,285. 


WALKER  BRANCH. 

The  uniformity  of  the  Fire-clay  coal  in  this  region 
made  unnecessary  a second  visit  to  this  branch.  The 
38  inches  top  coal,  5 inches  fire-clay  and  coal  below,  gen- 
erally not  mined  and  therefore  seldom  exposed  for  meas- 
urement, seems  to  be  standard  for  this  vicinity. 

On  the  left  at  the  head  of  this  branch  is  the  follow- 
ing: (An  opening  is  said  to  have  been  made  into  the 
Flag  coal  directly  above  it.) 


Hazard  Coal. 

Five-yard  wet  entry. 
Shaly  sandstone. 


Block  coal  39" 

Hard  coal  16" 


Altitude,  1240. 


A coal  stain  on  top  of  the  ridge  toward  Hazard,  at 
altitude  1,465,  is  the  only  sign  north  of  the  Kentucky 
river,  of  a bed  above  the  Hindman,  yet  seen  by  the 
writer.  This  appears  to  correspond  with  the  highest 
coal  of  Flint  Ridge. 


192 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


HAZARD  AND  VICINITY. 

The  following  section  and  analysis  are  of  the  Fire- 
clay coal  half  a mile  below  Hazard  (taken  from  Bulletin 
No.  11,  page  96)  : 

Fire-clay  Coal. 

Shale  and  shaly  S.  S. 


Coal  34" 

Flint  clay  5" 

Coal  4" 

Bone  coal  1" 

Shale  . 11" 

Coal  4" 


Analysis. 

Moisture  

Volatile  matter  

Fixed  carbon  ., 

Ash  

Sulphur  

Specific  gravity,  1.287 

Centrally  located  in  the  town  of  Hazard,  a quarter 
mile  up  the  small  branch  with  mouth  by  the  river  bridge, 
the  Speak  mine  is  worked  by  the  Speak  brothers  in  the 
Fire-clay  bed  at  altitude  930,  the  river  being  there  at 
about  840.  The  coal  where  measured,  some  50  yards  in, 
is  37  inches  thick,  including  2 inches  of  slaty  coal  at  the 
bottom  which  sticks  to  the  floor  and  in  hand-mining  is 
left.  The  whole  seam  is  said  to  range  in  the  mine  from 
37  to  46  inches.  At  the  mouth  15  feet  of  shale  covers 
the  coal,  but  the  roof  is  fairly  good,  doubtless  becoming 
sandstone  farther  in.  Besides  tilling  a large  part  of  the 
local  demand  for  coal,  some  is  shipped  by  rail  after 
hauling  across  the  river  in  wagons.  One  coal-cutting 
machine  is  used,  operated  by  compressed  air. 

On  the  right,  at  the  head  of  this  branch,  the  Hazard 
bed  lias  been  opened  by  a prospect,  and  coal  about  39 
inches  thick  is  in  sight,  at  altitude  1,230,  under  7 feet 
of  shale.  Another  seam  of  the  bed  beneath  the  39  inches 
is  quite  possible. 

On  the  branch  at  the  upper  end  of  town,  % mile  up, 
three  entries  on  the  Fire-clay  coal  give  each  38  inches 


1.50 

33.50 

61.20 

3.80 

0.794 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


193 


of  coal,  including  about  6 inches  of  slaty  coal  at  bottom. 
The  characteristic  fire-clay  is  below  that.  A fourth  five- 
yard  entry  on  the  right  has  but  30  inches  of  coal  mined. 
Altitude,  940. 

At  the  sharp  bend  of  the  river,  1^4  miles  above  Haz- 
ard an  entry  has  been  made  into  the  same  bed  on  the 
right,  % mile  up  the  branch  there.  The  good  coal  is 
34  inches  thick,  the  floor  a black  slate  rather  than  slaty 
coal,  roof  a cliff  sandstone  of  40  feet  thickness,  which 
has  permitted  setting  of  posts  20  feet  apart  in  each  di- 
rection without  perceptible  strain. 

Higher  coals  were  searched  for  on  this  branch,  but 
nothing  satisfactory  found,  apparently.  Nearly  the 
whole  face  of  the  hill  on  the  right  seems  to  have  broken 
and  slipped. 

At  the  mouth  of  this  branch  the  following  section, 
was  obtained : 


Fire-clay  Coal.. 

Altitude,  935. 


Whitesburg  Coal 

Altitude,  890. 


Sandstone  20  ft. 

fCoal  35" 

J Flint  fire-clay  7" 

[coal  3" 

Clay. 

Sandstone  60  ft. 

Shale  5 ft. 

Black  slate  5 ft. 

...Coal  (12  partings).. ..40" 
River,  845. 


The  Kentucky  Jewel  Coal  Company  is  preparing* 
for  an  operation  on  and  below  Raccoon  creek,  2 miles 
above  Hazard.  The  intention  seems  to  be  to  mine  at 
present  only  the  Flag  coal,  an  old  entry  into  the  Fire- 
clay coal  on  the  river  front  not  having  been  reopened 
nor  other  work  on  that  bed  begun. 

Above  the  Fire-clay  coal  an  old  flagstone  quarry, 
230  feet  higher,  appears  to  be  at  the  base  of  the  Haddix 
coal.  The  Flag  coal  entries,  reached  via  line  for  in- 
cline from  the  river  frontage,  are  on  the  left,  perhaps 
a half  mile  up  Raccoon  creek,  and  are  365  feet,  by  baro- 
meter, above  the  Fire-clay  coal  opening.  The  northern 
of  two  well  begun  entries  gives  the  following  section : 

♦Written  in  1913. 


K.  R.— 7. 


194 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


Flag  Coal. 


Sandstone  5 ft. 

Block  coal  30" 

Bony  coal  3" 

Block  coal  15" 

Shale  3" 

Coal  4" 


The  bony  coal  may  perhaps  be  classed  as  poor  splint 

coal. 

A broad  bench  at  the  top  of  the  proposed  incline,  40 
feet  below  this  coal,  shows  the  place  of  the  Hazard 
coal. 


GREGORY  BRANCH. 

The  Raccoon  Coal  Company  is  operating  3y2  miles 
above  Hazard  to  a small  but  increasing  extent,  on  the 
Fire-clay  coal  on  the  right  of  this  branch  at  its  mouth, 
and  is  building  an  incline  to  bring  the  Flag  coal  to  the 
same  point. 

The  main  Fire-clay  coal  opening  is  about  80  feet 
above  the  track  and  at  altitude  960.  It  was  started  in 
the  point  of  a hill  and  runs  rather  across  the  point.  The 
coal  at  entrance  is  but  about  6 inches  thick  above  and 
below  the  6 inches  of  parting,  and  is  some  6 to  8 feet 
above  the  normal  level  of  the  bed.  At  20  yards  in, 
where  normal  level  is  reached,  the  top  coal  is  40  inches 
thick,  which  is,  perhaps,  the  average  thickness  in  the 
mine : Its  maximum  is  said  to  be  46  inches. 

The  coal  seems  to  be  in  great  demand  at  a good 
price,  in  spite  of  the  fact  that  it  is  much  broken  up  in 
the  long  chute  from  mine  to  railroad  level.  Following 
is  an  analysis  of  the  coal  as  obtained  at  the  mine : An- 
alysis by  James  A.  Gibbony. 

Analysis. 


Water  1.52 

Volatile  matter  39.06 

Fixed  carbon  55.78 

Ash 3.64 


100.00 

Sulphur 0.634 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


195 


The  Flag*  coal  is  opened  fronting  the  river  near  to 
the  head  of  the  proposed  incline  375  feet  above  the  Fire- 
clay coal:  Altitude,  1,335.  Barely  underground  it  gives 
47  inches  of  coal,  with  8 inches  of  shale  and  then  8 feet 
of  sandstone  above  it. 

On  the  left  of  a left  branch,  % mile  up  Gregory  and 
y8  mile  up  the  branch,  the  following  section  was  ob- 
tained at  the  mouth  of  a wet  entry: 

Fire-clay  Coal. 


Sandstone  6 ft. 

Coal  33" 


Flint  clay  parting. 
Fire-clay. 

Altitude,  950. 


The  rider  shows  here  about  18  inches  of  coal,  at  al- 
titude 970. 

On  the  right  at  the  head  of  this  branch,  an  old  open- 
ing showed  in  the  dump  blocks  of  heavy  splint  coal  and 
some  block  coal.  The  bed  may  be  3 feet  thick:  Its  alti- 
tude is  1,295,  making  it  the  Hazard  bed. 

On  the  right,  % mile  up  Gregory,  the  following  sec- 
tion was  obtained: 


Gap  1,430 

Prospect:  Apparently  3 to  4 feet  of  coal,  largely  splint, 
which  weathers  into  small  thin  plates  like  black 

slate  1,365 

(In  this  report  this  bed  is  given  the  name  of 
“Francis.”) 

Flag  coal  prospect:  about  5 feet  without  parting,  under 

5 feet  shale  1,310 

Hazard  3-yard  entry:  Coal  43  inches,  under  5 feet  of 

shaly  sandstone  1,260 

Broad  bench  (Young  coal?)  1,225 

Prospect:  Coal  17  inches  under  5 feet  shale 1,025 

Fire-clay  coal  level  950 


On  the  left  nearly  opposite  these  the  following  was 
obtained  at  a five-yard  entry: 


196 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


Fire-clay  Coal. 

Sandstone  10  ft. 

Shale  2 ft. 

Coal  . 36" 

Flint  clay  3" 

Coal  4" 

Altitude,  950. 


In  the  point  of  a hill  on  the  right  between  the  forks 
% mile  up,  30  feet  of  shaly  sandstone  is  exposed  at  alti- 
tude 1,035  over  coal  which  is  probably  the  17  inches 
coal  at  1,025  of  the  preceding  section.  Certainly  the 
continuation  of  thin  lamination  below  the  Haddix  bed 
is  shown. 

On  the  left,  a mile  up,  the  Hazard  bed  has  the  fol- 
lowing section: 


Hazard  Coal. 


Shale  

Coal  

Shale  

Coal  

Shale  

Coal  

Shale  

Coal  

Shale  

Coal  

Fire-clay. 
Altitude,  1215. 


5 ft. 
. 4" 

6" 

. 5" 

6" 

. 2" 

2" 

9" 

6" 

.36" 


And  to  the  right  above  it  the  Flag  coal  this : 


Flag  Coal. 

Shale  3 ft. 

Coal  53" 

Shale  3" 

Coal  6" 

Altitude,  1275. 

Other  openings  into  the  Fire-clay  coal  by  the  road 
above  Gregory  branch  are  given  in  Bulletin  No.  11, 
pages  99  and  i()0. 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


197 


BEAR  BRANCH. 

Four  and  one-lialf  miles  above  Hazard:  Altitude  of 
mouth,  870. 

On  the  left,  % mile  UP  this  branch,  is  a twelve-yard 
entry  with  the  following  section : 


Flag  (?)  Coal. 


Shale  10  ft. 

Coal  2" 

Shale  4" 

Block  coal  S" 

Splint  coal  15" 

Block  coal  8" 

Hard  block  coal  23" 

Altitude,  1360. 


The  bottom  coal  has  an  inch  of  bone  which  appears 
not  to  be  continuous. 

The  ascertained  height  of  this  bed  above  the  Fire- 
clay coal,  and  its  thickness,  are  indicative  of  the  Flag 
coal,  but  the  splint  coal  in  it,  apparently  perfectly  good, 
weathers  into  small  thin  fragments  like  black  slate,  to 
a degree  never  seen  by  the  writer  elsewhere  than  here 
and  in  the  coal  found  above  the  Flag  on  Gregory  branch. 
A possible  error  of  40  feet  in  altitude  would  throw  this 
opening  into  the  higher  bed. 

On  the  left,  by  the  road,  4%  miles  above  Hazard, 
the  following  was  obtained  at  the  mouth  of  a wet  entry : 

Fire-clay  Coal. 


Sandstone. 

Shale  3 ft. 

Coal  1" 

Shale  3" 

Coal  39" 

Flint  clay  3" 


Bottom  (?)  clay. 

Altitude,  975. 

On  the  left,  by  the  road,  5%  miles  above  Hazard, 
an  exposure  gives : 


198 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


Whitesburg  Coal. 


Sandstone  40  ft. 

Shale  3 ft. 

Black  slate  5 ft. 

Coal  and  shale  iy2  ft. 

Shale  6 ft. 

Coal  1 y2  ft. 

Altitude,  920. 


BUCKEYE  CREEK. 

Five  and  three-quarter  miles  above  Hazard.  Alti- 
tude of  moutli,  875. 

On  the  right  of  the  left  fork  and  at  its  head  two 
miles  from  the  river,  a twelve-yard  entry  gives : 


Flag  Coal. 


Sandstone  

Shale i 

15  1 

[)  to  12" 

Shelly  coal  

12" 

Splinty  coal  

12" 

Bony  coal  

1" 

Hard  block  coal 

43" 

Altitude,  1370. 

The  inch  of  bony  coal  is  almost  inseparable  from 
the  coal  below,  but  does  not  seem  to  be  very  impure. 
The  variation  in  thickness  of  shale  is  due  to  an  even 
top  to  the  coal  and  a waving  sandstone  above  it.  On 
removal  of  the  coal  the  shale  comes  down,  leaving  a fine 
roof,  taken  advantage  of  here  in  the  width  of  the  entry 
driven. 


COALS  ON  SOUTH  SIDE  OF 
NORTH  FORK. 


COALS  ON  THE  SOUTH  SIDE  OF  THE  NORTH 
FORK  OF  KENTUCKY  RIVER  FROM 
CAMPBELLS  CREEK  TO  BIG 
CREEK,  INCLUSIVE. 


This  report  treats  of  the  coals  in  Perry  County  on 
the  south  side  of  the  North  fork  of  Kentucky  River, 
and  its  tributaries  from  Campbell  creek  to  Big  creek  in- 
clusive. Since  earlier  reports  were  made  for  the  Ken- 
tucky Geological  Survey  covering  this  region  many  new 
openings  into  the  coal  beds  have  been  made,  and  after 
having  visited  nearly  all  of  them  in  condition  for  inspec- 
tion a nearly  accurate  estimation  of  the  field  is  believed 
obtainable  from  the  data  acquired  and  here  presented. 

During  the  investigation  a survey  was  made  of  the 
creeks  by  the  Kentucky  Geological  Survey,  the  results 
of  which  are  embodied  in  the  accompanying  map,  on 
which  also  are  located  the  openings  visited. 

The  topography  of  the  region  is  like  that  generally 
of  Eastern  Kentucky,  a succession  of  narrow  valleys 
with  steep  sides  to  the  tops  of  sharp  serrated  ridges, 
though  at  the  main  head  of  Campbell  creek  the  country 
is  somewhat  more  open.  Campbell  and  Forked-mouth 
creeks  have  especially  narrow  valleys  with  practically 
no  bottom  land,  and  the  North  fork  in  this  region  has 
also  comparatively  little  for  so  large  a stream. 

Altitudes  range  from  795,  that  of  the  North  fork  at 
the  mouth  of  Campbell  creek,  where  the  hills  are  Borne 
500  feet  higher,  to  about  2,000  feet  at  the  head  of  Big 
creek,  where  they  rise  to  a height  of  some  700  feet  above 
that  stream. 

Strata  lie  nearly  level  but  with  a general  north- 
westerly dip  from  the  head  of  Big  creek  to  Forked- 
mouth  creek,  which,  approximately,  lies  in  a syncline, 
the  measures  thence  rising  slightly  to  Campbell  creek 
and  beyond. 

From  the  head  of  Big  creek  to  the  mouth  of  Forked- 


202 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


mouth  creek,  a total  air-line  distance  of  ten  miles,  the 
fall  of  strata  amounts  to  about  130  feet,  but  this  dip  is 
not  uniform.  Along  the  middle  half  of  Big  creek,  strata 
lie  nearly  level  and  even  a reverse  dip  is  noted,  but  so 
slight  that  it  may  be  only  a result  of  barometric  inac- 
curacy. 

The  effect  of  irregularity  in  the  dip  is  to  increase  the 
maximum,  but  neither  in  this  northwesterly  direction 
nor  on  the  sides,  where  strata  usually  dip  in  the  direc- 
tion the  streams  run,  is  there  believed  to  be  a dip  of 
more  than  one  per  cent,  except  in  a few  unimportant 
local  rolls. 

A general  section  for  the  region  follows.  This  sec- 
tion varies  in  detail  at  different  places  as  noted  here- 
after. 

General  Section. 

Mainly  sandstones. 

Hindman  coal  bed,  shale  roof. 

Interval  150  feet,  mainly  sandstones. 

Flag  coal  bed,  sandstone  roof. 

Interval  60  feet,  sandstone  at  top. 

Hazard  coal  bed,  heavy  shale  roof. 

Interval  60  feet,  sandstone. 

Haddix  coal  bed,  sandstone  roof. 

Interval  150  feet,  sandstone  at  top. 

Hamlin  coal  bed  in  shale. 

Interval  100  feet,  sandstone  at  bottom. 

Fire-clay  coal  bed,  sandstone  roof. 

Interval  50  feet. 

Whitesburg  coal  bed,  sandstone  roof. 

The  Whitesburg  Bed  is  so  split  up  into  thin  seams 
with  thick  partings  as  to  include,  in  its  few  exposures 
near  the  river,  a thickness  of  strata  of  20  to  30  feet.  No 
attempt  was  made  to  measure  them  all  and  their  inter- 
vals, though  they  are  well  exposed  on  Big  creek  near  its 
mouth.  Part  or  all  of  them  are  also  well  exposed  at 
Hazard  on  Messer  branch. 

The  interval  given  of  50  feet  up  to  the  Fire-clay 
coal  is  regarded  as  normal  and  is  about  the  distance 
from  the  upper  seam  of  the  Whitesburg  coal  up  to  the 
Fire-clay  coal.  As  seen  on  Brown  fork  of  Big  creek 
the  lower  20  feet  of  this  interval  is  sandstone  and  the 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  Kiver 


203 


remainder  shales  and  shaly  sandstones;  elsewhere  in 
this  region  the  upper  half  is  usually  of  soft  material 
while  in  other  fields  it  has  been  found  as  a particularly 
hard  sandstone.  A seam  of  coal,  apparently  an  off- 
shoot from  the  Fire-clay  coal,  was  found  along*  the  river 
5 to  10  feet  below  that  bed.  On  Big  creek  a layer  of 
limestone  is  found  at  about  this  horizon. 

The  Fire-clay^  Coax,  which  is  the  coal  mined  at 
Hazard  and  at  Lennut  below  Hazard,  is  exposed  at 
numerous  places  scattered  over  the  region  between 
Campbell  creek  and  Big  creek.  It  is  of  extremely  var- 
iable section  in  this  region  but  always  with  only  a very 
few  inches  of  coal,  excepting  along  the  main  river  and 
possibly  where  it  goes  below  drainage,  6 miles  up  Big 
creek. 

Along  the  river  front  are  some  available  working 
areas,  especially  favorable  in  their  locations,  but  the 
coal  is  barely  thick  enough  for  present  mining,  and  it 
is  altogether  probable  that  that  thickness  does  not  hold 
good  far  into  the  hill. 

A piece  of  the  flint  fire-clay  parting  from  this  bed 
laid  on  a hard  surface  and  struck  sharply  with  a ham- 
mer breaks  into  many  somewhat  cuboidal  fragments 
showing  no  evidence  whatever  of  lamination. 

Generally  a thick,  hard  sandstone  lies  immediately 
over  the  Fire-clay  coal,  and  this  is  especially  noted  on 
Willard  creek,  but  on  Big  creek  it  is  inconspicuous  and 
is  largely  replaced  by  shales  and  shalv  sandstones,  in 
which  are  thin  seams  of  coal  and  black  slate. 

Possibly  these  thin  coals  and  others  on  Big  creek 
found  there  to  a height  of  60  feet  above  the  Fire-clay 
coal,  combine  to  form  the  rider  to  that  bed,  occasionally 
workable  in  other  regions,  but  giving  only  one  sign  of 
its  presence  in  this  region  other  than  on  Big  creek. 
Where  not  wholly  absent  it  is  certainly  valueless. 

In  two  widely  separated  places  fossil  limestone 
was  found,  probably  50  feet  above  the  Fire-clay  coal. 
From  the  rider  to  within  20  to  40  feet  of  the  Haddix 
coal  is  here,  as  usual,  a succession  of  shales  and  shaly 
sandstone. 

About  100  feet  up  from  the  Fire-clay  coal  is  an- 


204 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


other  seam  of  coal,  apparently  constant  in  this  as  in 
adjoining  regions,  always  jiresumably  thin,  though 
found  at  one  place  on  Campbell  creek  reaching  a thick- 
ness of  3 feet.  Though  mined  for  local  use  there,  the 
coal  is  of  poor  quality.  The  owner  ’s  name,  Hamlin,  is 
now  applied  to  this  bed. 

On  Willard  creek  it  was  found  as  a slaty  cannel  coal 
32  inches  thick. 

Thin  ledges  of  limestone  were  noted  in  this  series 
of  thin  laminated  measures  at  distances  of  about  180, 
160  and  115  feet  below  the  Hazard  coal,  the  first  two 
probably  of  the  same  horizon.  Occasionally  a massive 
sandstone  appears  in  the  top  of  the  series,  but  not  often 
unless  it  combines  with  cliff-making  sandstones  on  the 
top  and  directly  under  the  Haddix  coal. 

This  latter  rock  (under  the  Haddix  coal)  is  a con- 
spicuous feature  of  the  topography,  presenting  often 
cliffs  on  the  hillsides  10  to  30  feet  or  more  in  height  and 
with  none  others  near  below. 

The  Haddix  Coal  Bed  has  now  but  few  openings  in 
this  region  showing  thickness,  from  which  it  may  be  in- 
ferred that  it  is  generally  too  thin  to  work.  None  what- 
ever were  found  on  Campbell  creek  and  those  on  Fork- 
ed-moutli  creek  have  less  than  2 y2  feet  of  coal.  Open- 
ings on  Willard  creek  give  3 feet  of  coal.  On  Big  creek 
none  were  found  elsewhere  than  on  Curley  fork,  where 
the  coal  runs  from  3 to  4 feet  thick.  The  usual  excel- 
lence of  this  coal  makes  it  available  where  coal  of 
poorer  quality  could  not  be  mined  profitably. 

Above  the  Haddix  bed,  sometimes  with  a little  shale 
between,  is  a hard,  usually  very  smooth-faced  sandstone 
20  feet,  more  or  less,  thick. 

The  Young  Coal  Bed  elsewhere,  lies  about  midway 
between  the  Haddix  and  Hazard  beds.  At  Domino,  3 
miles  by  rail  below  Hazard,  about  3 y2  feet  of  coal  is 
opened  beside  the  incline  and  55  feet  below  the  mine 
there  opened  into  the  Hazard  coal  bed,  which  may  be- 
long to  this  bed  but  may  possibly  be  the  Haddix  coal, 
but  in  the  region  under  present  discussion  no  sign  of 
this  bed  was  found  excepting  in  one  uncertain  instance. 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


205 


The  interval  between  the  Hazard  and  Haddix  coal 
beds  is  almost  wholly  of  sandstone,  appearing  fre- 
quently in  cliffs,  the  upper  half  particularly  hard,  so 
that  in  conjunction  with  the  very  soft  strata  above  it, 
it  has  led  to  the  formation  of  the  principal  bench  of  the 
hillsides  throughout  the  region. 

The  Hazard  Coal,  by  far  the  most  valuable  in  this 
section,  lies  on  this  bench,  or,  not  infrequently,  where 
the  rock  below  happened  to  be  less  resistant  to  disin- 
tegration, 10  to  15  feet  above  a subsidiary  bench. 
Towards  the  head  of  Willard  creek  it  lies  250  feet  above 
the  Fire-clay  coal,  but  this  interval  increases  to  310 
feet  at  points  along  the  river  and  up  Big  creek. 

No  opening  into  the  Hazard  coal  was  found  on 
Campbell  creek.  On  Forked-mouth  it  runs  from  2y2  to 
3V2  feet  thick,  but  in  quality  the  coal  is  deficient. 

On  Willard  creek  above  Little  Willard  the  Hazard 
coal  is  generally  3 to  4 feet  thick,  tributaries  on  the 
west  providing  the  thicker  coal,  and  it  is  probably  of 
better  quality  towards  the  south.  On  the  lower  half 
of  Little  Willard  the  coal  is  5 feet  thick,  but  it  runs 
down  to  less  than  3%  feet  farther  up  stream  and  is 
there  poor  in  quality. 

Along  the  river  above  Willard  creek  the  Hazard 
coal  continues  about  5 feet  thick  and  in  quality  appears 
good.  Though  near  the  tops  of  the  hills  fronting  the 
river,  some  good  areas  are  available  running  up  toward 
the  Little  Willard-Big  creek  divide. 

On  Big  creek  waters  the  Hazard  coal  is  of  work- 
able thickness  throughout  excepting  at  the  extreme 
head,  ranging  generally  from  3 to  5 feet  of  coal,  the 
latter  thickness  in  extensive  areas  along  the  central 
part  of  the  main  creek.  The  quality  here  appears  equal 
to  that  of  the  coal  mined  at  Domino,  which  latter  is  said 
to  find  especial  favor  in  the  market.  A thin  seam  of 
bone  coal  is  found  here  near  the  bottom  of  the  bed,  as 
is  the  case  at  Domino.  Some  of  this  coal  could  be 
reached  through  mines  on  Buffalo  creek,  above  Hazard, 
but  for  most  of  it  a railroad  up  Big  creek  is  needed. 

In  addition  to  the  broad  bench  as  a means  for  cor- 
relating this  bed,  it  has  usually  10  to  12  feet  of  clay 


206 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


shale  covering,  not  always  visible,  almost  or  wholly  de- 
void of  fossils,  hut  containing  one  or  two  thin  seams  of 
coal,  apt  to  be  found  near  the  main  bed.  Above  the 
shale  is  another  cliff-making  sandstone  directly  upon 
which  is  the  Flag  coal. 

The  Flag  Coal  shows  a gradual  increase  in  thick- 
ness from  about  2 feet  on  Campbell  creek  to  3 to  4 feet 
on  Big  creek.  While  the  coal  is  generally  good  its 
height  in  the  hills  militates  seriously  against  it.  Where 
the  Hazard  bed  is  first  mined  beneath  it,  as  promises 
to  be  the  case  in  its  best  areas,  the  bed  is  likely  to  be 
largely  ruined. 

Close  above  the  Flag  bed  is  another  hard  sandstone 
and  beyond  that  others  continue,  occupying  most  of  the 
interval  to  the  summits  of  the  highest  hills. 

The  Hindman  Coal  Bed  can  be  found  only  in  the 
high  hills  about  the  heads  of  Amy  Fork  of  Big  creek 
and  thence  (if  the  hills  are  high  enough)  to  the  heads 
of  the  main  stream.  Though  difficult  of  access  and 
with  small  areas  it  is  not  unlikely  that  some  of  its  thick, 
probably  coking,  coal  may  be  utilized. 

In  giving  the  detailed  description  which  follows  of 
all  the  openings  visited  and  other  related  matter  the 
correlations  are  in  some  instances  assumed  with  insuffi- 
cient data  for  their  determination.  The  three  beds,  the 
Haddix,  Hazard  and  Flag,  are  variable  in  all  their  fea- 
tures and  resemble  one  another  very  closely  in  certain 
places  and  their  proximity  combined  with  their  irregular 
dip  and  the  errors  of  barometric  observation,  require 
for  certainty  of  correlation  more  development  of  the 
beds  than  now  obtains.  In  all  cases  of  importance,  how- 
ever, the  correlations  now  given  are  believed  to  be  true. 

Altitudes  of  openings  were  obtained  by  aneroid 
from  base  levels  by  the  U.  S.  Geological  Survey,  heights 
above  tide  having  been  determined  at  intervals  along 
the  streams.  Distances  given  in  miles  or  fractions 
thereof  are  approximate,  intended  only  for  guidance  to 
openings : Given  in  yards  underground  they  were  esti- 
mated only  approximately.  Thickness  of  strata  given 
in  feet  are  approximate,  but  those  in  inches  may  be  re- 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


207 


lied  upon  as  correct.  Entries  having'  water  in  them 
sufficient  to  prevent  going-  into  them  are  designated  as 
wet  entries. 

The  terms  right  and  left  are  used  in  describing  loca- 
tions always  with  the  observer  supposed  to  be  looking 
up  stream. 

CAMPBELL  CREEK. 

The  railroad  station  Krypton  (Post  Office,  Glenn) 
is  at  the  mouth  of  this  creek,  and  at  altitude  805.  The 
mouth  of  the  creek  is  about  785. 

On  the  left,  % mile  up  the  creek,  Clark  Campbell 
has  an  entry  into  the  Fire-clay  coal  bed,  not  visited,  said 
to  have  about  the  same  section  as  in  the  entries  on  the 
river  just  above  Krypton.  This  entry  is  now  in  opera- 
tion while  the  latter  are  not.  Exposures  of  the  bed  far- 
ther up  the  creek  show  it  worthless  there. 

LEFT  FORK. 

On  the  left,  % mile  up : Altitude  of  mouth,  850. 

In  a rockhouse  on  the  right,  % mile  up  this  fork, 
the  Fire-clay  coal,  5 feet  above  drainage  has  the  follow- 
ing section: 

Fire-clay  Coal  Bed. 

Sandstone  20  ft. 

Coal  6" 

Flint  fire-clay  3" 

Coal  10" 

Altitude,  920. 

In  the  road  above  the  rockhouse  the  stain  of  the 
Hamlin  coal  shows  at  altitude  1,010. 

On  the  right,  % mile  up,  Joseph  Hamlin  has  a ten- 
yard  entry  into  this  bed,  10  feet  above  the  fork,  giving 
at  its  face  the  following: 


Hamlin  Coal  Bed. 

Massive  sandstone  ....  5 ft. 

Coal  12" 

Slaty  coal  18" 

Black  slate  and  coal..  3" 

Coal  4" 

Altitude,  995. 


208 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


While  the  whole  bed  section  is  mined  and  burned 
locally,  its  quality  is  not  such  as  would  find  favor  in  open 
market. 

Two  entries  on  the  left,  % mile  up,  show  a foot  of 
the  same  good  coal  at  the  top  and  21  inches  of  slaty  coal 
next  below,  with  the  remainder  of  the  section  covered. 

A mile  up  the  Left  fork  a prominent  cliff  has  its 
top  at  altitude  1,165.  Allowing  for  dip  up  stream,  this 
is  nearly  300  feet  above  the  Fire-clay  coal  and  conse- 
quently the  place  for  the  Hazard  coal  bed.  A bench, 
probably  of  the  Flag  coal,  is  80  feet  higher. 

On  the  left,  114  miles  up,  directly  on  the  sandstone 
of  the  cliff  just  noted,  a five-yard  wet  entry,  30  feet  above 
the  fork  gives,  at  its  mouth,  some  3%  feet  of  coal  of 
the  Hazard  bed,  under  10  feet  of  shale.  In  the  shale  is 
2 inches  of  coal  3 feet  above  the  main  bed:  Its  altitude 
is  1,155. 


On  a right  branch,  1 mile  up  Campbell  creek,  on  the 
left,  % mile  up  the  branch  and  275  feet  above  its  mouth, 
James  Hamlin  has  a twelve-yard  entry  into  the  Haddix 
bed,  under  3 feet  of  shale,  giving  26  inches  of  clean  coal 
at  the  face  and  having  2 inches  or  more  of  black-jack 
floor.  It  lies  directly  on  a prominent  cliff  (as  seen 
across  the  branch),  and  at  altitude  1,160,  is  about  235 
feet  above  the  Fire-clay  coal. 

On  a left  branch,  1*4  miles  up  the  creek,  on  the 
right,  % mile  up  the  branch  and  230  feet  above  its 
mouth,  Nancy  Eversole  has  an  eight-yard  entry  into  the 
Haddix  bed,  under  3 feet  of  shale,  giving  32  inches  of 
coal  at  the  face.  It  is  5 feet  above  the  top  of  a cliff  and 
at  altitude  1,140. 

On  the  right  of  the  main  creek,  1%  miles  up  it,  just 
above  the  last  mentioned  branch,  the  following  section 
is  exposed  at  creek  level : 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


209 


Fire-clay 

Coal  Bed. 

Sandstone 

20 

ft. 

Coal  

12' 

Shale  

5 to  10 

ft. 

Red  flint 

fire-clay 3' 

Shale  

8' 

Coal  

0 to  3' 

Fire-clay  . 

0 to  1 

ft. 

Laminated  sandstone. 

Altitude,  915. 

While  this  variable  section  is  in  marked  contrast  to 
that  on  the  Left  fork  and  along  the  river  above  Camp- 
bell creek,  and  the  red  color  of  the  fire-clay  parting  is 
most  unusual,  there  can  be  no  doubt  of  the  identity  of 
the  bed. 


RIGHT  BRANCH. 

One  and  three-fourtli  miles  up  Campbell  creek : Alti- 
tude of  mouth,  955. 

On  the  right  of  the  branch,  14  and  % miles  up  it 
are  an  abandoned  entry  and  prospect  on  top  of  a cliff 
rock  into  what  appears  to  be  the  Hazard  bed  at  altitudes 
1,175  and  1,155  respectively. 

The  branch  forks  y2  mile  up  it  and  on  the  right  of 
the  left  fork  near  its  mouth  Henry  Capipbell  has  an 
opening  with  the  following  section: 

Flag  Coal. 

Shale  

Coal  

Shale  

Coal  

Shale  

Coal  

Altitude,  1290. 

The  correspondence  of  this  with  the  next  opening 
following  enables  correlation.  The  altitudes  given  for 
openings  on  this  branch  are  not  altogether  reliable. 

A thin  coal  showing  in  the  road  on  the  left  2 miles 
up  the  creek  is  of  the  Hamlin  bed.  It  is  about  at  creek 
level,  at  the  forks,  2%  miles  up  the  creek. 


. 2 ft. 
. 7" 

. 7" 

. 5" 

. 6" 
14" 


210 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


RIGHT  FORK. 

On  the  right,  21/4  miles  up : Altitude  of  mouth,  1,005. 

In  a left  hollow  at  the  mouth  of  this  fork,  on  the 
right  at  its  head,  % mile  up,  William  Huff  has  a ten- 
yard  entry  with  the  following  section,  at  its  face : 


Flag  Coal. 


Shale  

3 ft. 

Coal  

11" 

Shale  

1" 

Coal  

4" 

Shale  

3" 

Coal  

Altitude,  1260. 

15" 

The  top  of  the  cliff  over  the  Haddix  coal  shows  at 
altitude  about  1,180. 


LEFT  FORK. 

On  the  left,  2%  miles  up : Altitude  of  mouth,  1,005. 

On  the  right  of  this  fork,  at  its  head  a half-mile 
up,  about  level  with  the  gap  through  which  the  road  to 
Hyden  passes,  William  Huff  has  a long  entry  with  the 
following  section,  6 yards  in: 


Flag  Coal. 


Shale  

3 ft. 

Coal  

12" 

Shale  

4" 

Coal  

16" 

Altitude,  1280. 

The  cliff  under  the  Haddix  coal  appears  here  to  be 
most  prominent  with  its  top  at  altitude  above  1,160. 

The  area  of  the  Flag  coal  about  the  heads  of  the 
creek  is  small,  but,  if  good  thickness  of  the  beds  below 
it  can  be  found  to  induce  railroad  construction  up  this 
creek,  sufficient  area  for  working  this  one  is  also  avail- 
able. So  far  as  development  of  these  beds  has  gone, 
however,  the  prospect  is  not  encouraging. 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


211 


On  the  right  of  the  river,  y2  to  % mile  above  Camp- 
bell creek,  Clark  Eversole  has  three  entries  into  the 
Fire-clay  coal  from  which  some  coal  has  been  shipped 
by  rail,  but  they  are  all  abandoned  now.  They  give  the 
following  sections : 


Fire-clay  Coal. 

At  mouth.  10  yards  in. 

20  yards  in. 

Coal  

28" 

27" 

28"  . 

Parting  

6" 

6" 

6" 

Coal  

Altitude,  890. 

11" 

8" 

4" 

The  parting  in  the  first  two  entries  is  wholly  flint 
fire-clay,  but  in  the  third  the  upper  half  is  more  like  a 
bone  coal. 

On  the  left  of  a right  hollow,  % mile  above  Kryp- 
ton, % mile  up  the  hollow,  Lizzie  Napier  has  a ten- 
yard  entry  into  the  same  bed  with  the  following  section : 

Fire-clay  Coal. 


Sandstone. 

Coal  28" 

Flint  fire-clay  5" 

Coal  11" 

Altitude,  890. 


BIG  MEADOW  (OLIVER)  BRANCH. 

On  the  right  of  the  river,  1%  miles  above  Krypton: 
Altitude  of  mouth,  790. 

On  the  right  of  the  branch,  14  mile  up,  Jarrett  Felt- 
ner  has  a ten-yard  entry  with  the  following  section  2 
yards  in: 

Fire-clay  Coal. 


Sandstone. 

Coal  26" 

Flint  fire-clay  5" 

Coal  9" 

Altitude,  885. 


A half-mile  up  the  branch,  5 feet  above  it,  John 
Jackson  has  two  long  entries  with  the  following  section 
at  their  mouths : 


212 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


Fire-clay  Coal. 


On  Left. 

On  Right. 

Sandstone  

25  ft. 

Coal  

19" 

24" 

Parting  

6" 

7" 

Coal  

Altitude,  875. 

12" 

12" 

The  upper  half  of  the  parting  is  here  black-jack 
the  lower  half  flint  fire-clay. 

Oil  the  right,  1%  miles  above  Krypton,  William  G. 
Napier  has  a six-yard  entry  with  the  following  section 
1 yard  in : 

Fire-clay  Coal. 


Sandstone. 

Coal  23" 

Black  slate  3" 

Flint  fire-clay  3" 


Coal — not  measured. 

Altitude,  885. 

LITTLE  MEADOW  BRANCH. 

On  the  right,  2 miles  above  Krypton:  Altitude  of 
mouth,  795. 

On  the  right  of  the  branch,  % mile  up  it,  John  Duff 
has  a twelve-yard  entry  with  section  as  follows,  taken 
at  its  mouth : 


Fire-clay  Coal. 


Sandstone. 

Coal  22" 

Bone  coal  2" 

Flint  fire-clay  3" 

Coal  7" 

Altitude,  880. 


The  bed  goes  belowr  drainage,  V4  mile  up,  with  24 
inches  of  top  coal. 

A mile  up  the  branch  to  a right  branch,  and  on  the 
left  % mile  up  the  latter,  Garrard  Campbell  has  a six- 
yard  wet  entry  into  the  Flag  bed,  under  10  feet  of  sandy 
shale.  It  has  probably  about  3 feet  of  coal  and  is  at 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


213 


altitude  1,270.  The  bed  lias  in  this  river  hill  but  50  to 
75  feet  of  covering  and  nowhere  in  the  vicinity  appears 
to  have  a workable  area.  The  gap  between  the  two 
Meadow  branches  is  at  altitude  1,035,  level  with  the 
top  of  the  cliff  below  the  Haddix  bed,  apparently,  though 
some  50  feet  lower  than  was  to  be  expected. 

The  following  sections  were  taken  along  the  rail- 
road track  between  the  mouth  of  Little  Meadow  branch 
and  the  Campbell  river-bend. 


Fire-clay  Coal. 


Miles  from  Krypton  

2 % 

2% 

2% 

Coal  

32" 

26" 

24" 

Flint  fire-clay  

6" 

5" 

4" 

Coal  

11" 

7" 

8" 

Altitude  

865 

855 

870 

All  have  sandstone  roof.  The  first  was  measured 
at  the  face  of  a ten-yard  entry,  the  others,  100  yards  re- 
spectively, below  and  above  the  Campbell  bend  tunnel, 
at  the  mouths  of  long  entries  made  for  use  only  during 
railroad  construction  apparently. 

On  the  right  of  the  river  (facing  up  stream)  Joseph 
Campbell,  John  Colwell  and  Green  B.  Campbell  have  5 
to  ten-yard  entries  at  2%,  2%,  and  1%  miles  below 
Yerkes,  respectively,  the  latter  30  feet  above  the  rail- 
road at  mile-post  “L  126.”  The  first  one  shows  15  feet 
of  shaly  sandstone  under  it  and  all  are  covered  by  20 
feet  of  massive  sandstone.  Their  bed  sections  follow : 


Coal  

Shale  

Fire-clay  Coal. 
(1) 

12" 

1" 

(2) 

(3) 

Coal  

14" 

27" 

26  to  28' 

Flint  fire-clay  

5" 

4" 

5' 

Coal  

9" 

12" 

10' 

Altitude  

865 

855 

855 

In  the  second  section  3 inches  of  the  coal,  6 inches 
from  the  bottom,  is  bony. 


214 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


CARY  BRANCH. 

On  the  right  of  the  river,  l1/^  miles  below  Yerkes: 
Altitude  of  mouth,  800. 

The  uniformity  of  the  Fire-clay  coal  shown  above 
is  not  continued  to  this  branch. 

On  the  right  near  its  mouth  a foot  of  coal  shows  in 
the  road  at  altitude  865,  with  15  feet  of  shale  over  it  to 
the  Fire-clay  coal  at  altitude  880.  The  bed  here,  as  ex- 
posed in  the  road,  has,  under  sandstone,  only  12  inches 
of  coal,  with  3 inches  of  flint  fire-clay  parting  in  the  mid- 
dle. 

On  the  right  of  the  branch,  at  its  head,  % mile  up, 
Cary  Couch  has  a short  entry  into  the  Flag  bed,  at  alti- 
tude 1,265,  having  26  inches  of  fine-looking  coal  under 
shaly  sandstone,  and  with  6 inches  of  black  slate  floor. 
Prospecting  for  lower  beds  is  said  to  have  resulted  in 
finding  no  coal  thicker  than  18  inches  (of  the  Hazard  or 
Haddix  bed.) 


FORKED-MOUTH  CREEK. 

The  railroad  station  Yerkes  is  at  the  mouth  of  this 
creek,  which  is  at  altitude  795. 

On  the  left,  % mile  up  (below  Laurel  fork),  the  fol 
lowing  section  is  exposed  from  the  creek  level  up : 


Fire-clay  Coal. 

Shaly  sandstone  10  ft. 

Black  slate  2" 

Flint  fire-clay  4" 

Coal  10" 

Fire-clay  and  shale....  8 ft. 

Coal  7" 

Shaly  sandstone  15  ft. 

Altitude,  855. 


LAUREL  FORK. 

On  the  right  of  a left  branch,  % mile  up  the  fork, 
14  mile  up  the  branch,  C.  E.  Cray  has  a four-yard  entry 
with  bed  section  at  its  face  as  shown  following: 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


215 


Flag  Coal. 


Sandstone  3 ft. 

Shale  8" 

Coal  8" 

Shale  4" 

Coal  17" 


Altitude,  1190. 

On  the  right  of  a left  branch,  % mile  up  the  fork, 
Ys  mile  up  the  branch,  Aaron  Brock  lias  a one-yard 
entry  into  the  Haddix  bed,  giving,  under  2 feet  of  shale, 
28  inches  of  coal,  at  altitude  1,080.  The  shale  has  much 
mica,  is  soft  and  sandy,  evidently  a weathering  of  sand- 
stone to  shale. 

In  the  fork,  lVo  miles  up  it,  James  Campbell  has 
opened  the  same  bed  with  the  following  section : 

Haddix  Coal. 

Soft,  friable  sandstone. 


Block  coal  8" 

Splint  coal  15" 

Block  coal  4" 


Altitude,  1090. 

COLWELL  FORK. 

On  the  right,  % mile  up  Forked-moutli  creek:  Al- 
titude of  mouth,  855. 

On  the  right,  in  the  road  near  the  mouth  of  the  fork, 
the  stain  of  the  rider  to  the  Fire-clay  coal  is  visible, 
above  a massive  sandstone,  at  altitude  865.  As  the  sand- 
stone is  25  feet  or  more  thick,  the  Fire-clay  coal  is  prob- 
ably slightly  under  the  mouth  of  the  fork. 

On  the  left  of  a right  branch,  *4  mile  up  the  fork 
and  also  up  the  branch,  Elijah  McIntosh  has  a fifteen- 
yard  entry  into  the  Flag  bed,  at  altitude  1,200,  having 
at  its  face  34  inches  of  coal,  with  2 inches  of  shale  part- 
ing 22  inches  from  the  bottom,  as  measured  at  the  face 
where  the  roof  is  a fossiliferous  shale.  At  the  mouth  of 
the  entry  5 feet  of  massive  sandstone  lies  on  the  coal. 

In  the  next  branch  above  on  the  road  to  this  entry 
the  top  of  the  cliff  under  the  Hazard  bed  is  at  altitude 
1,125. 


216 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


At  the  head  of  a right  branch,  % mile  up  the  fork, 
y8  mile  up  the  branch,  J.  M.  Colwell  has  a four-yard 
entry  with  the  following  bed  section  at  its  face : 


Flag  Coal. 

Shale  

10  ft. 

Coal  

12" 

Shale  

5" 

Coal  

18" 

Altitude,  1210. 

As  with  the  preceding  entry  a cliff  under  the  Haz- 
ard bed  is  60  feet  under  this  one  and  the  stain  of  the 
Haddix  coal  shows  in  the  road  below  at  altitude  1,100. 
This  is  the  only  place  known  where  the  Flag  coal  lias 
such  a covering  of  shale  over  it,  a common  occurrence 
with  the  Hazard  bed.  But  the  similarity  of  bed  sections 
here  and  in  the  entries  on  the  branch  below  this  just 
given,  and  at  Mr.  Gray’s  on  Laurel  fork,  together  with 
their  height  of  350  feet  or  more  above  the  Fire-clay  coal 
are  regarded  as  proof  positive  of  the  correlation. 

On  the  right  of  the  next  branch,  % mile  up  the  fork, 
mile  up  the  branch,  a closed  entry,  under  10  feet  of 
shale,  gives  what  is  probably  the  Hazard  bed  at  altitude 
1,185  as  obtained,  but  actually  probably  25  to  30  feet 
less. 


On  the  right  of  a right  branch,  1 mile  up  the  fork, 
% mile  up  the  branch,  below  the  road  as  it  ascends  the 
hill,  Martha  Colwell  has  an  incomplete  opening,  from 
which  the  following  section  was  obtained: 

Hazard  Coal. 


Shale  8 ft. 

Block  coal  14" 

Splint  coal  18' 

Block  coal  10" 


Altitude,  1160. 


Six  inches  more  coal  was  reported  underneath,  but 
was  not  accessible  when  visited. 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


217 


The  likeness  of  this  bed  section  to  that  of  the  Had- 
dix  coal  at  the  head  of  Laurel  fork  is  almost  sufficient 
for  correlation,  but  the  conformity  in  roof  and  in  alti- 
tude with  the  entry  near  the  head  of  the  left  fork  of 
Campbell  creek  force  the  conclusion  that  this  is  of  the 
Hazard  bed.  A large  area  of  coal  is  available  here. 

Seven-eighths  mile  up  the  creek,  on  the  left,  % mile 
up  a right  branch  there,  the  Tennis  Coal  Company  has 
started  an  entry  into  the  Hazard  coal  at  altitude  1,175, 
35  inches  thick  at  the  face,  1 yard  in.  A seam  one  foot 
from  the  top  marks  the  place  of  change  from  block  to 
splint  coal  which  occurs  near  the  head  of  Colwell  fork. 
A foot  of  sandstone  shows  on  top  of  the  coal.  About  60 
feet  higher  is  a 20-foot  cliff  which  caps  the  ridge. 

IVY  GAP  FORK. 

On  the  right,  1 mile  up:  Altitude  of  mouth,  885. 

On  the  right  of  a right  hollow,  % mile  up  the  fork, 
y8  mile  up  the  hollow,  James  Baker  has  a five-yard 
entry  into  the  Flag  coal  at  altitude  1,310,  having  under 
5 feet  of  sandstone,  27  inches  of  coal,  including  2 to  4 
inches  of  black  slate  or  bone  coal  2 inches  from  the  bot- 
tom. The  top  of  a 15-foot  cliff  is  60  feet  below  it — alti- 
tude 1,250. 

On  the  right,  at  the  mouth  of  the  next  right  hollow, 
% mile  up  the  fork,  William  Baker  has  a one-yard  entry 
into  the  Hazard  bed,  at  altitude  1,250.  Over  the  30 
inches  of  good-looking  block  coal  is  8 feet  of  shale,  on 
top  of  which  appears  a thin  coal  stain,  and  just  below  it 
is  a cliff  of  the  same  sandstone  as  the  cliff  of  the  preced- 
ing hollow. 

On  the  left  of  a left  branch,  1%  miles  up  the  fork, 
% mile  up  the  branch,  John  Duff  has  a covered  prospect 
reported  of  bed  section  as  follows : 

Hazard  Coal. 


Shaly  sandstone  3 ft. 

Coal  12" 

Black  slate  4" 

Coal  14" 

Altitude,  1260. 


218 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


This  “black  slate”  corresponds  with  the  splint 
coal  of  the  same  bed  on  Colwell  fork. 


On  the  right  of  the  main  creek,  2%  miles  up  it, 
Stephen  Stedham  has  a covered  prospect  into  the  Had- 
dix  bed  at  altitude  1,160,  80  feet  above  the  creek. 

Above  this  opening  is  an  eight-yard  entry,  under  3 
feet  of  sandstone,  into  the  Hazard  bed  with  27  inches  of 
coal  at  its  face,  at  altitude  1,220.  The  lower  half  of  the 
coal  appears  slaty  and  bony. 

Across  the  creek,  on  the  left,  Vs  mile  up  a left 
branch,  Hanson  Colwell  has  a twelve-yard  entry  into 
the  Hazard  bed  at  altitude  1,240,  with  36  inches  of  coal 
at  its  face.  The  lower  foot  or  more  of  the  coal  looks 
like  dull  splint  or  bony  coal  like  that  across  the  creek, 
but  is  reported  to  burn  well.  Two  feet  of  massive  sand- 
stone cover  the  bed  and  10  feet  higher  is  a 15-foot  cliff. 
Cliffs  also  show  close  under  each  coal  bed. 


On  the  right,  3 miles  up  the  creek,  Thomas  Size- 
more has  a long  entry  into  the  Hazard  bed,  under  sand- 
stone, with  27  inches  of  coal  at  its  mouth  similar  to  the 
preceding:  Its  altitude  is  1,225. 


In  the  railroad  cut  at  Yerkes  6 inches  of  coal  at  alti- 
tude 830,  3 feet  above  the  track  and  under  25  feet  of 
shale  is  an  off-shoot  from  and  below  the  Fire-clay  coal 
noted  at  openings  below  Yerkes. 

On  a right  branch,  Vi  mile  above  Yerkes,  on  the 
right  (of  the  right  fork),  Vs  mile  up,  William  Campbell 
has  a twelve-yard  entry  into  the  Flag  bed  at  altitude 
1,235,  having  32  inches  of  coal  at  its  face,  largely  fine- 
looking  splint,  under  two  feet  of  shale  and  then  sand- 
stone. It  lies  directly  on  a 20-foot  cliff. 

On  the  left  (of  the  left  fork),  % mile  from  the  river, 
C.  A.  Baker  lias  a long  entry  with  the  following  section 
at  its  mouth : 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


219 


Flag  Coal. 


Shaly  sandstone  5 ft. 

Block  coal  9" 

Splint  coal  15'' 

Block  coal  8" 

Altitude,  1210. 


This  entry  also  is  on  a cliff  and  another  cliff  lies 
about  80  feet  higher.  The  succession  of  cliffs  show  at 
different  heights  of  the  hills  along  the  river  as  conspicu- 
ous escarpments. 


WILLARD  CREEK. 

Altitude  of  mouth,  800. 

On  the  left,  % mile  up  the  creek,  5 feet  above  the 
road,  two  seams,  probably  the  upper  ones  of  the  Wliites- 
burg  bed  appear,  between  a parting  of  fossiliferous 
shale  as  shown  following  in  conjunction  with  the  Fire- 
clay coal  as  found  nearly  above  this  exposure  and  given 
in  an  earlier  report. 


Fire-clay  Coal. 


Sandstone  5 ft. 

Shale  . 5 ft. 

Coal  2" 

Flint  fire-clay 4" 

Coal  10" 

Clay  4" 

Black  slate  3" 

Clay. 

Altitude,  870. 


Whitesburg  Coal  (in  part). 


Shaly  sandstone  5 ft. 

Black  slate  3 ft 

Coal  9" 

Shale  5 ft. 

Coal  8" 

Altitude,  830. 


Above  these  exposures  is  a prominent  cliff  with  its 
top  at  altitude  1,105. 


220 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


Twenty-five  feet  higher  is  an  old  prospect  into  what 
may  be  either  the  Haddix  or  the  Young  bed;  at  altitude 
1,130,  it  is  260  feet  above  the  Fire-clay  coal. 

LITTLE  WILLARD  CREEK. 

On  the  left,  % mile  up : Altitude  of  mouth,  810. 

On  the  left,  % mile  up  this  creek,  is  a long  entry  into 
the  Hazard  coal  under  4 feet  of  shale  exposed.  Now 
abandoned,  it  still  shows  about  5 feet  of  coal  at  altitude 
1,185.  Being  in  the  peak  of  a ridge,  its  area  here  is 
probably  not  over  10  acres. 

The  durability  of  the  sandstone  over  the  Fire-clay 
coal  in  this  vicinity  is  shown  not  only  in  the  cliffs  on 
either  side,  but  also  by  the  fact  that  the  creek  has  failed 
to  cut  through  it  until  below  the  mouth  of  Fugate  fork, 
although  its  drainage  area  above  is  considerable  and  the 
descent  of  the  stream  sufficient  to  give  it  much  cutting 
power. 

Fugate  Fork. — On  the  left  of  Little  Willard  creek, 
% mile  up  it:  Altitude  of  mouth,  950. 

On  the  left,  % mile  up,  William  McIntosh  has  a 
now  abandoned  entry  in  which  a former  measurement 
gave  the  following: 

Hazard  Coal. 


Shale  ...  2 ft. 

Thin  coal. 

Shale  10  ft. 

Coal  0" 

Splint  coal  24" 

Coal  10" 

Bony  coal  12" 

Coal  F" 


Altitude,  1180. 


The  twelve  inches  of  bony  coal  appears  to  be  fairly 
good  and  the  whole  should  be  marketable. 

On  the  left,  at  the  mouth  of  a right  hollow,  Vo  mile 
up  Fugate  fork,  James  Colwell  has  a four-yard  entry 
into  the  Hazard  bed  at  altitude  1,185  with  65  inches  of 
coal  at  its  face,  the  lower  16  inches  somewhat  bony.  Five 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


221 


feet  of  shale  lies  on  the  coal,  with  a thin  coal  stain  show- 
ing in  the  middle  of  it. 

On  the  left,  % mile  np,  an  old  stripping  of  the  Had- 
dix  bed,  long  since  covered,  was  reported  to  have  3 feet 
of  coal,  the  upper  2 inches  cannel;  it  is  at  altitude  1,120. 

On  the  left  of  a right  hollow,  % mile  up,  % mile  up 
the  hollow,  Jack  Fugate  has  a ten-yard  entry  into  the 
Hazard  bed,  at  altitude  1,205,  with  62  inches  of  coal  at 
its  face  and  5 feet  of  shale  above  it.  The  coal  of  the 
lower  10  inches  is  slightly  bony,  but  apparently  not 
enough  so  to  affect  its  sale.  It  is  not  a rich-looking  coal 
but  has  some  good  splint  in  it. 

The  hills  in  these  right  branches  are  higher  than  on 
the  left  and  give  the  Hazard  bed  100  to  200  feet  of 
covering  and  a considerable  area,  which  might  be  at- 
tacked from  the  river  opposite  the  head  of  this  fork. 

On  the  left  of  Little  Willard  creek,  % mile  up  it, 
Henry  Fields  has  a wet  entry  with  the  following  section 
at  its  mouth  • 


Hazard  Coal. 


Earth. 

Coal  or  shale 

Shale  

Coal  

Shale  

Coal  

Bone  coal  

Coal  

Altitude,  1205. 


2 ft. 

iy2  ft. 

y2  ft. 

5 ft 

57" 

4" 

6" 


The  upper  foot  of  the  57  inches  seems  to  be  poor. 
The  two  feet  of  coal  and  shale  at  the  top  is  probably  a 
slip  from  the  Flag  bed. 

On  the  right,  a mile  up,  an  old  prospect  into  the 
Haddix  coal,  10  feet  above  a cliff,  gives  the  altitude  of 
the  bed  as  1,165. 

On  the  left  of  a left  branch,  1 miles  up,  y8  mile  up 
the  branch,  G.  C.  Morgan  has  a five-yard  entry  of  the 
following  bed  section  half  way  in: 


222 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


Hazard  Coal. 


Sandstone  2 ft. 

Shale  1 ft. 

Coal  9" 

Shale  with  coal 6" 

Coal  19" 

Black  slate 6" 

Altitude,  1235. 


A streak  of  bony  or  slaty  coal  was  found  5 to  8 
inches  above  the  black  slate. 

On  the  right,  1%  miles  up,  John  W.  Morgan  has  an 
abandoned  entry  into  the  Hazard  coal  said  to  be  5' feet 
thick  with  the  lower  foot  slaty.  Its  altitude,  215  feet 
above  the  creek,  is  1,210. 

On  the  left  of  a right  branch  at  Mr.  Morgan’s,  1% 
miles  up,  % mile  up  the  branch,  he  has  a three-yard 
entry  into  the  Haddix  coal  at  altitude  1,160.  The  bed  is 
42  inches  thick  here  and  includes  4 inches  of  cannel  slate 
2 inches  from  the  top,  leaving  an  even  3 feet  of  coal 
workable.  A prominent  cliff  lies  close  below  it. 

On  the  right  of  a left  branch,  2 miles  up,  y$  mile  up 
the  branch,  William  Jamieson  has  a wet  entry  into  the 
Hazard  bed  with  64  inches  of  coal  at  its  mouth,  re- 
ported of  inferior  quality:  Its  altitude  is  1,215. 

On  the  left,  2%  miles  up,  William  Fields  lias  an 
eight-yard  entry  into  the  Hazard  coal  at  altitude  1,235, 
apparently  in  a roll,  the  coal  thinning  at  face  and  ir- 
regular, approximately  2%  feet  thick. 

Along  a branch  on  the  right,  % mile  up  main  Wil- 
lard creek,  the  following  section  was  obtained  in  going 
from  the  mouth  of  the  branch  to  a high  peak,  a half- 
mile  in  a nearly  straight  direction : 


High  peak 1,240 

Base  of  25-foot  cliff  1,160 

Base  of  20  feet  exposed  sandstone..... 1,090 

Haddix  entry  1,070 

Base  of  15-foot  cliff  1,005 

Base  of  40-foot  cliff  850 

Probable  place  of  Fire-clay  coal 845 

Mouth  of  branch  835 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


223 


From  the  summit  tlie  upper  cliff  can  be  seen  as  a 
ridge  cap  rock  at  intervals  in  various  directions. 

The  above  ITaddix  entry,  belonging  to  Ellis  Willis, 
is  on  the  right  of  the  branch,  Vi  mile  up  and  has  34  inches 
of  clean  coal  at  its  mouth  increased  to  38  inches  at  its 
face,  10  yards  in.  It  is  covered  by  5 feet  of  massive 
sandstone. 


HURRICANE  FORK. 

On  the  left,  1%  miles  up : Altitude  of  mouth,  845. 

The  Fire-clay  coal  here  is  probably  at  altitude 
about  850,  slightly  lower  than  at  the  mouth  of  the  creek, 
but  from  here  up  stream  a decided  rise  of  strata  is 
noted. 

From  this  point  also  a reduction  is  found  in  the  in- 
terval between  the  Fire-clay  and  the  Hazard  coals  from 
about  300  feet  to  some  250  feet  a mile  above,  the  reduc- 
tion being  indicated  on  both  forks. 

In  a left  hollow  at  the  mouth  of  Hurricane  fork, 
on  the  right,  Vs  mile  UP>  E.  W.  Fields  has  a long  entry 
into  the  Hazard  coal,  40  inches  thick,  with  a knife-edge 
parting  2 inches  from  the  top,  as  measured  at  the 
mouth  of  the  entry.  Eight  feet  of  shale  are  above  it. 
Its  altitude  is  1,145. 

Brier-Patch  (Stacy)  Branch. — On  the  left,  H mile 
up  Hurricane  fork:  Altitude  of  mouth,  875. 

On  the  right  of  this  branch  at  its  mouth  is  the  fol- 
lowing exposure: 

Fire-clay  Coal. 

Laminated  sandstone  5 ft. 

Black  slate. 

Black  flint  fire-clay....  4" 

Coal  8" 

Shale  (to  branch) 10  ft. 

Altitude,  895. 

In  a left  branch,  Vi  mile  up,  the  Fire-clay  coal 
shows  again,  at  altitude  900. 

On  the  left  of  this  little  branch,  Vi  mile  up  it,  Mack 
Morgan  has  a six-yard  wet  entry  into  the  Hazard  bed 


224 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


showing  at  the  mouth  about  36  inches  of  coal,  under  2 
feet  of  shale,  at  altitude  1,170. 

On  the  right,  % mile  up  a left  branch,  % mile  up 
Brier-Patch  branch,  H.  P.  Morgan  has  a wet  entry  into 
the  Hazard  bed  at  altitude  1,165.  Apparently  the  coal 
is  3 y2  to  4 feet  thick,  but  only  about  iy2  feet  was  visible. 
In  the  dump  the  coal  looked  rather  poor.  The  bed  has 
1 % feet  of  black  slate  and  coal  covering,  above  which  is 
sandstone. 


In  the  fork  at  William  Standiford’s,  % mile  up 
Hurricane  fork  a limestone  is  exposed  at  altitude  950, 
some  50  feet  above  the  Fire-clay  coal. 

On  the  left  at  this  place  is  a fifteen-yard  entry  with 
the  following  section  at  its  face : 

Hazard  Coal. 


Shale  8 ft. 

Coal  3" 

Black  slate  4" 

Coal  35" 

Slaty  coal  9" 


Altitude,  1155. 

Though  well  under  cover  the  coal  is  soft  and  muddy. 
The  bench  of  the  Haddix  coal  is  very  evident  65  feet 
lower. 

On  the  left,  1%  miles  up,  Felix  Stacy  has  an  eight- 
yard  entry  with  the  following  section  at  its  mouth : 

Hazard  Coal. 


Shale  8 ft. 

Coal  2" 

Clay  1" 

Coal  2" 

Cannel  slate  8" 

Coal  .....37" 


Altitude,  1185. 

It  is  but  40  feet  above  the  branch  and  a good  area 
is  available,  but  the  quality  of  the  coal  is  doubtful. 

Coal  taken  from  Hurricane  fork,  % mile  up  it,  said 
to  be  6 inches  thick,  is  of  the  Fire-clay  coal  bed  at  alti- 
tude 890. 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


225 


A former  report  gives  the  following  as  120  feet 
above  the  Fire-clay  coal  in  this  vicinity,  with  no  allow- 
ance made  for  inclination  of  strata.  It  is  evidently  the 
Hamlin  coal  of  Campbell  creek,  there  found  90  feet 
above  the  Fire-clay  coal : 

Hamlin  Coal. 


Clav 

Iron  ore  4" 

Shale  3" 

Coal  5" 

Shale  18" 

Cannel  coal  23" 

Clay. 


Altitude,  1010  (?) 

The  cannel  was  described  as  rather  slaty. 

On  the  right,  1 mile  up,  Samuel  Colwell  has  two  en- 
tries, one  closed  and  the  other  8 yards  in,  giving  the 
following  bed  section  at  its  mouth: 

Hazard  Coal. 


Sandstone. 

Shale  4 ft. 

Cannel  slate  2" 

Coal  43" 


Altitude,  1180. 

Frier-Camp  Branch. — On  the  left,  1 y±  miles  up  Hur- 
ricane fork. 

On  the  left,  y2  mile  up  the  branch,  20  feet  above  it 
the  Hamlin  coal  bed,  about  100  feet  above  the  Fire-clay 
coal,  gives  the  following  section,  the  lower  6 inches  not 
seen: 


Hamlin  Coal. 


Shaly  standstone  5 ft. 

Coal  2" 

Shale  1 V2  ft. 

Coal  14" 

Altitude,  1040. 


On  the  right,  1%  miles  up,  Samuel  Colwell  has  a 
six-yard  entry  with  the  following  bed  section  at  its  face : 


K.  R.— 8. 


226 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


Hazard  Coal, 


Sandstone  5 ft. 

Shale  5 ft. 

Coal  1" 

Shale  and  coal  18" 

Coal  6" 

Shale  1" 

Cannel  slate  5" 

Coal  38" 

Altitude,  1225. 


The  entry  is  not  yet  carried  to  solid  coal.  Though 
low  in  the  hill  here  near  the  head  of  the  branch,  the  area 
of  coal  in  this  vicinity  is  small  as  the  hills  are  low. 

A former  opening  at  the  head  of  Hurricane  fork,  “a 
mile  above  Samuel  Whittaker ’s”  (now  Samuel  Colwell), 
gave  the  following  section  and  analysis  by  Dr.  R.  Peter 
from  my  sample : 

Hazard  Coal. 


Cannel  slate  6" 

Clay  6" 

Cannel  slate  9" 

Shale  3" 

Coal  45" 


Altitude,  1190. 

Analysis. 

Lab.  No.  2794. 


Moisture  3.96 

Volatile  combustible  matter  32.84 

Fixed  carbon  52.80 

Ash  (purplish  gray)  10.40 


100.00 

Sulphur 0.722 

Specific  gravity  1.390 

Coke  friable. 


“ Portions  of  the  sample  dull  splint  coal.  Some 
fibrous  coal  between  the  laminae,  but  no  apparent  py- 
rites. Some  pieces  bright  pitch  black.”  The  sample 
was  taken  from  a surface  opening  and  consequently  the 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


227 


analysis  is  too  high  in  ash,  bnt  in  view  of  the  character 
of  the  coal  down  the  creek  it  may  be  assumed  that  the 
discrepancy  is  not  great. 

On  a bench  185  feet  above  this  last  opening,  at  alti- 
tude 1,375,  a thick  coal  bed  was  reported,  probably  cor- 
rectly, as  it  corresponds  nearly  with  the  height  of  the 
Hindman  bed  opened  little  more  than  a mile  to  the  south 
on  Amy  fork  of  Big  creek. 

On  the  left,  2 miles  up  Willard  creek,  100  yards 
above  the  school  house,  is  exposed  the  following  section 
5 feet  above  the  creek: 

Fire-clay  Coal. 


Sandstone. 

Coal  3" 

Sandstone  1" 

Black  slate  12" 

Flint  fire-clay 7" 

Coal  8" 

Altitude,  895. 


On  the  right  2%  miles  up,  Jerry  Combs  has  a wet 
entry,  having  at  its  mouth  40  inches  of  coal  on  6 inches 
of  black  slate  containing  coal  and  under  6 feet  of  shale. 
Floor  and  roof  are  indicative  of  the  Hazard  bed,  al- 
though, at  altitude  1,150,  the  opening  is  but  about  240 
feet  above  the  Fire-clay  coal  bed. 

BIG  BEECH  FORK. 

On  the  left,  2%  miles  up  Willard  creek : Altitude  of 
mouth,  920. 

On  the  right  at  the  mouth  of  this  fork  is  the  follow- 
ing exposure : 

Fire-clay  Coal. 


Sandstone  10  ft. 

Black  slate  8" 

Flint  fire-clay  9" 

Coal  5" 

Black-jack  3" 

Fire-clay  9" 

Black-jack 3" 

Shale  1 ft. 

Altitude,  920. 


228 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


In  this  and  in  the  preceding  section  of  the  same  bed 
there  is  some  variation  in  thickness  of  strata  in  each 
exposure. 

Road  Fork. — On  the  right,  % mile  up  Big  Beech 
fork:  Altitude  of  mouth,  945. 

On  the  right,  Vo  mile  up  Road  Fork,  Samuel  Camp- 
bell has  a twelve-yard  entry  with  the  following  bed  sec 
tion  at  its  face: 


Hazard  Coal. 


Shaly  sandstone 

3 ft. 

Shale  with  coal  . 

iy2  ft. 

Black  slate  

5" 

Shale  

iy2  ft. 

Cannel  slate  

2" 

Coal  

10" 

Shale  

1" 

Coal  

20" 

Bone  coal  

5" 

Coal  

5" 

Black  slate  

Altitude,  1160. 

.1  or  2" 

On  the  left,  lVs  miles  up,  Avliat  appears  to  be  the 
Fire-clay  coal  rider  has  the  section  following,  the  shale 
roof  including,  on  or  near  the  coal,  a band  of  black  slate : 

Fire-clay  Coal  Rider  (?). 


Sandstone  4 ft. 

Shale  7 ft. 

Coal  3" 

Shale  8" 

Coal  3" 

Shale  1" 

Coal  5" 


Altitude,  1015. 

Two  such  seams  of  coal  occur  with  others  on  Whit- 
taker branch  of  Big  creek,  about  60  feet  over  the  Fire- 
clay coal.  The  interval  to  that  coal  here  is  probably  not 
more  than  half  of  that. 

On  the  left  and  left  of  the  road  and  by  it,  iy2  miles 
up,  is  an  old  prospect  into  the  Haddix  coal,  at  altitude 
1,185. 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


229 


On  the  right  of  the  gap  at  the  head  of  the  fork,  1% 
miles  up,  John  Hoskins  has  an  eight-yard  entry  into  the 
Flag  coal.  It  contains  31  inches  of  good  block  and 
splint  coal  under  shale  roof,  with  sandstone  close  above, 
and  is  at  altitude  1,335.  With  the  gap  only  20  feet 
higher  and  adjacent  hills  not  much  higher  than  that,  the 
area  of  the  coal  is  small. 

Little  Beech  Fork. — On  the  left,  % mile  up  Big 
Beech  fork. 

On  the  right,  % mile  up  Little  Beech  fork,  Elijah 
Hoskins  has  a twelve-yard  entry,  with  the  following 
bed  section,  taken  3 yards  in: 

Hazard  Coal. 

Shale  with  thin  coals  7 ft. 


Black  slate  7" 

Shale  6" 

Coal  42" 


Altitude,  1145. 

This  coal  looks  finely  in  the  dump,  but  in  the  entry 
the  upper  part  of  it  seems  rather  poor.  It  lies  on  a 
big  bench  and  has  a long,  but  narrow  area. 

In  Big  Beech  fork,  % mile  up,  is  about  6 inches  of 
limestone,  at  altitude  975,  about  60  feet  above  the  Fire- 
clay coal. 

On  the  right,  1 y8  miles  up,  Abijah  Hoskins  has  a 
ten-yard  wet  entry  with  the  following  section,  the  coal 
as  reported,  probably  correctly: 

Hazard  Coal. 

Shale  with  coal  and 


black  slate  3 ft. 

Black  slate  5" 

Shale  2y2  ft. 

Coal  38" 


Altitude,  1160. 

BUBBY  ROOT  BRANCH. 

On  the  right  of  Willard  Creek,  3 miles  up : Altitude 
of  mouth,  955. 

On  the  left  of  the  branch,  ys  mile  up,  an  old  pros- 
pect into  the  Hazard  coal,  under  8 feet  of  shale,  still 


230 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


shows  l1/?  feet  of  coal,  which  may  be  double  that  thick- 
ness or  more.  Its  altitude  is  1,155,  some  15  feet  higher 
than  the  cliff  across  the  branch. 

On  the  right  of  a left  branch,  at  its  mouth,  4f4  miles 
up  the  creek,  Harris  Couch  has  a five-yard  entry,  with 
bed  section  as  follows : 


Hazard  Coai. 


Shale  

8 ft. 

Coal  

13" 

Shale  

11" 

Coal  

24" 

Altitude,  1185. 

This  entry  is  15  feet  above  a prominent  cliff. 

On  the  right  of  a right  branch,  4%  miles  up  the 
creek,  % mile  up  the  branch,  Andrew  Stedham  has  an 
eight-yard  entry  into  what  is  probably  the  Flag  bed, 
with  32  inches  of  coal  at  its  face  and  4 feet  of  sandstone 
over  it.  Its  altitude  is  1,235. 

On  the  left  of  the  same  branch,  opposite  the  pre- 
ceding, Frank  Campbell  lias  an  eight-yard  entry  into 
the  same  bed  with  sandstone  roof  and  38  inches  of  coal 
at  its  face.  Its  altitude  is  1,225. 

Considerable  prospecting  seems  to  have  been  done 
in  this  neighborhood  in  order  to  get  coal  for  local  use, 
but  so  far  as  learned  all  openings  excepting  those  given 
were  abandoned. 

On  the  right  of  the  river,  % mile  above  Willard 
creek,  1 V2  miles  #above  Yerkes,  Benjamin  Fugate  has  a 
two-yard  entry  with  the  following  section,  not  uniform : 

Fire-clay  Coal. 


Sandstone  4 ft. 

Shale  1 ft. 

Sandstone  4" 

Shale  3" 

Coal  3" 

Flint  fire-clay  3" 

Coal  9" 

Shale  3" 

Coal  3" 

Shale  12" 

Coal  4" 

Altitude,  875. 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


231 


Between  this  bed  and  the  Whitesburg  coal,  about  45 
feet  lower,  there  appears  to  be  only  shaly  sandstone. 

On  the  right,  1%  miles  above  Yerkes,  Mr.  Fugate 
has  a twelve-yard  entry,  with  57  inches  of  coal  at  its 
mouth,  the  lower  10  inches  slightly  slaty,  and  with  2 
inches  of  bone  in  the  middle.  Eight  feet  of  shale  with  a 
coal  stain  on  top  overlie  the  coal,  which  is  of  the  Hazard 
bed,  at  altitude  1,190.  A cliff  below  the  entry  with  its 
top  at  altitude  1,125  underlies  the  Haddix  coal. 

On  the  left  of  a right  branch,  about  4%  miles  above 
Yerkes,  1%  miles  below  Typo,  % mile  up  the  branch, 
Moses  Felton  has  a long  entry,  under  5 feet  of  shale, 
with  60  inches  of  coal  5 yards  in.  This  is  of  the  Hazard 
bed,  at  altitude  1,175. 

On  the  right  of  the  river  (looking  up  it)  % mile 
below  Typo,  Walter  Couch  has  a fifteen  yard  entry  into 
the  Hazard  bed,  at  altitude  1,185,  having  58  inches  of 
coal,  measured  4 yards  in,  under  10  feet  of  shale,  with 
5 inches  of  coal  in  the  middle  of  the  shale. 

The  cliff  under  the  Haddix  coal  shows  prominently 
here  with  its  top  at  altitude  1,120. 

BEN  COUCH  BRANCH. 

On  the  right  of  the  river,  % mile  below  Typo. 

On  the  left,  % mile  up  the  branch,  a two-yard  entry 
gives  the  following: 


Haddix  Coal. 


Sandstone  4 ft. 

Coal  1" 

Cannel  slate  1" 

Coal  26" 


Altitude,  1140. 

The  coal,  excellent  in  appearance,  is  largely  splint 

coal. 

At  the  face  of  a twenty-yard  entry  above  the  pre- 
ceding, under  8 feet  of  shale,  the  Hazard  bed  gives  58 
inches  of  coal  at  altitude  1,190. 


232 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


While  these  two  beds  barely  cut  or  overreach  the 
tops  of  the  hills  immediately  against  the  river,  there  is 
good  area  for  mining  here  on  both  sides  of  the  branch. 

BIG  CREEK. 

Altitude  of  mouth,  810. 

Several  thin  seams  of  the  Whitesburg  coal  show 
in  slialy  sandstone  and  shale  cliffs  on  the  left,  to  a height 
of  some  30  feet  above  the  river  for  the  first  *4  mile  up 
the  creek.  Similar  to  the  exposures  on  Messer  branch, 
opposite  Hazard,  they  were  not  examined  in  detail. 

On  the  right,  % mile  up  the  creek,  a bench  at  alti- 
tude 1,000  seems  to  indicate  the  place  of  the  Hamlin 
coal  bed  100  feet  above  the  Fire-clay  coal.  At  altitude 
1,140,  the  top  of  a 40-foot  cliff  is  the  place  of  the  Haddix 
coal,  while  at  altitude  1,190,  near  the  top  of  the  hill,  is 
an  old  entry,  now  closed,  into  the  Hazard  bed  on  top  of 
a 20-foot  cliff,  under  which  may  possibly  be  the  Young 
bed. 


BROWN  FORK. 

On  the  left,  % mile  up  Big  creek:  Altitude  of  mouth, 

935. 

In  the  fork,  % mile  up,  is  a thin  seam  of  the  Whites- 
burg coal,  while  on  the  right,  10  feet  higher,  at  altitude 
855,  the  upper  seam  of  the  bed  is  exposed  with  10 
inches  of  coal  under  2 feet  of  black  slate,  with  shale 
above  and  below. 

On  the  left,  by  the  road,  % mile  up  the  fork,  a foot 
of  coal  slipped  from  the  Fire-clay  coal  bed  lies  on  a 
foot  of  black  slate,  at  altitude  905.  Below  this  are  30 
feet  of  shales  and  then  20  feet  of  sandstone  to  the  fork. 

Curley  Fork. — On  the  left,  1 mile  up  Brown  Fork: 
Altitude  of  mouth,  860. 

On  the  left,  % mile  up,  by  the  road,  part  or  all  of 
the  Fire-clay  coal  bed  is  exposed  with  coal  8 inches  thick 
under  4 feet  of  black  slate  and  upon  5 feet  of  common 
fire-clay,  at  altitude  945. 

The  stain  of  the  Haddix  coal  shows  in  the  road,  on 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


233 


the  left,  1%  miles  up,  at  altitude  1,190,  5 feet  above  a 
20-foot  cliff. 

From  that  stain  to  two  entries  into  the  Hazard  bed, 
above  the  road,  1%  and  1%  miles  up,  strata  appear  to 
be  mostly  sandstone.  Of  these  two  entries,  belonging 
to  William  Combs,  the  latter,  under  20  feet  of  sand- 
stone, has,  at  its  face,  30  yards  in,  54  inches  of  excellent 
coal,  excepting  3 inches  a foot  from  the  bottom,  which 
is  bone  coal,  apparently  detracting  little  from  the  value 
of  the  whole.  The  altitude  is  1,255. 

On  the  left,  by  the  road,  1 % miles  up,  an  old  pros- 
pect developed  only  thin  coal  in  the  Flag  bed,  at  altitude 
1,310.  Sandstones  in  cliffs  are  above  and  below  all  three 
of  these  beds. 

On  the  right  of  the  road  and  left  of  the  fork,  below 
this  Flag  opening,  a wet  entry  into  the  Hazard  bed  has 
at  its  mouth  about  42  inches  of  coal,  the  lower  12  inches 
hidden  in  water.  Its  altitude  is  1,260.  Three  feet  of 
shale  intervenes  between  the  coal  and  sandstone  above 
it. 

On  the  left,  1%  miles  up  the  fork,  the  Haddix  bed 
has  been  opened  and  now  shows  under  4 feet  of  sand- 
stone, about  iy2  feet  of  coal,  with  possibly  2%  feet  more 
hidden.  Its  altitude  is  1,200. 

On  the  right,  2 miles  up  Curley  fork,  Wise  Combs 
has  a live-yard  entry  into  the  Haddix  coal,  giving,  at  its 
mouth,  38  inches  of  coal,  under  sandstone  roof,  at  alti- 
tude 1,170. 

Above  this  he  has  a ten-yard  entry  into  the  Hazard 
bed,  which,  2 yards  in,  has,  under  sandstone,  48  inches 
of  coal,  including  3 inches  of  bone  coal,  8 inches  from 
the  bottom.  Its  altitude  is  1,230. 

On  the  right,  2 y8  miles  up,  James  Combs  has  a five- 
yard  entry  into  the  Haddix  bed,  at  altitude  1,175,  under 
7 feet  of  sandstone,  with  about  34  inches  of  coal  at  the 
mouth  and  38  inches  at  the  face. 

On  the  left,  2%  miles  up,  5 feet  above  Curley  fork, 
Mr.  Combs  has  a wet  entry  into  the  Haddix  coal,  about 
47  inches  thick  at  the  mouth,  covered  by  10  feet  of  very 
soft,  friable  sandstone.  The  altitude  is  1,180. 

Across,  on  the  right  of  the  branch,  he  lias  a six- 
yard  wet  entry  into  the  Hazard  coal,  at  altitude  1,240, 


234 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


under  5 feet  of  sandstone,  with  31  inches  of  coal,  the 
bottom  6 inches  not  seen  and  the  bone  coal  apparently 
present. 


Campbell  Branch. — On  the  right,  1 % miles  np 
Brown  fork:  Altitude  of  mouth,  900. 

On  the  left,  *4  mile  up  a left  branch,  y8  mile  up 
Campbell  branch,  an  unfinished  prospect  into  the  Haz- 
ard bed,  at  altitude  1,210,  shows  over  3 feet  of  coal,  and 
is  reported  to  be  4 feet  thick.  Overlying  the  coal  is  3 
feet  of  shale,  upon  which  is  massive  sandstone. 

On  the  left,  % mile  up  Campbell  branch,  Henry 
Campbell  has  a sixteen-yard  entry  into  the  Flag  bed  with 
coal  varying  from  40  to  45  inches  at  its  face,  and  with 
10  feet  of  sandstone  over  it.  Its  altitude  is  1,250. 

On  the  right,  % mile  up  the  branch,  John  Campbell 
has  a sixteen-yard  entry  into  the  Flag  bed,  at  altitude 
1,280,  having  48  inches  of  coal  12  yards  in.  An  inch  of 
bone  coal  13  inches  from  the  bottom  is  included.  Over- 
lying  the  coal  is  5 feet  of  sandstone. 

On  the  left,  % mile  up  the  branch,  Milton  Campbell 
has  an  entry  just  starting  into  the  Hazard  coal,  having 
54  inches  of  coal  under  8 feet  of  shale,  at  altitude  1,215. 

An  ample  area  of  both  beds  is  available  for  mining 
here. 


On  the  right,  ys  mile  up  a left  hollow,  1%  miles  up 
Brown  fork,  William  Couch  heirs  have  a ten-yard  entry 
into  the  Hazard  bed,  at  altitude  1,200,  with  45  inches  of 
coal  at  its  mouth,  under  8 feet  of  sandstone.  A half- 
inch clay  parting  17  inches  from  the  bottom  probably 
disappears  underground. 

A ledge  of  thin  limestone  was  found  below  the  entry 
at  altitude  1,120  and  the  Fire-clay  coal  is  probably  at 
about  930,  as  indicated  by  the  sandstone  here  under 
which  it  lies. 

On  the  left,  21/4  miles  up  the  fork,  is  the  following 
exposure  some  20  feet  above  the  stream : 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


235 


Fire-clay  Coal. 


Sandstone  10  ft. 

Black  slate  4 ft. 

Coal  2" 

Shale  1" 

Coal  10" 

Clay  1" 

Coal  10" 


Altitude,  945. 

Tlie  lower  parting  indicates  the  place  of  the  usual 
flint  fire-clay,  as  proved  by  exposures  3 miles  up  the 
fork,  given  below.  This  is  one  of  the  very  rare  in- 
stances in  Southeastern  Kentucky  where  the  peculiar 
characteristic  of  the  parting  is  not  readily  recognized. 

On  the  right,  2%.  miles  up  the  fork,  Alfred  Couch 
has  a three-yard  entry,  under  sandstone,  into  the  Flag 
coal,  at  altitude  1,275,  giving  46  inches  of  coal,  includ- 
ing an  inch  of  bone  18  inches  from  the  bottom. 

On  the  left,  3 miles  up,  and  on  the  right  at  the  mouth 
of  Sheep  Hollow  branch,  just  beyond,  are  the  following 
exposures : 


Fire-clay  Coal. 

Sandstone  20  ft 8 ft. 

Black  slate  1V2  ft. 

Coal  11" 9" 

Flint  fire-clay  5" 2" 

Coal  7" 10" 

Altitude  975 980 

The  upper  half  of  the  5-inches  parting  is  black  and 
the  lower  half  the  usual  brown. 

Sheep  Hollow  Branch. — On  the  right,  3 miles  up 
Brown  fork:  Altitude  of  mouth,  980. 

On  the  head  of  the  branch,  U>  mile  up,  John  Camp- 
bell lias  a five-yard  entry  into  the  Hazard  bed,  at  alti- 
tude 1,305,  with,  at  its  mouth,  48  inches  of  coal  and  a 
shale  parting  of  about  2 inches  7 inches  from  the  bottom. 
Upon  it  is  3 feet  of  sandstone. 


236 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


On  a left  branch  at  Mr.  Campbell’s  house,  3%  miles 
up  Brown  fork,  he  has  a twelve-yard  entry  into  the  same 
bed  at  altitude  1,295,  with  46  inches  of  coal  at  its  mouth, 
and  but  38  inches  mined  at  the  face,  some  coal  being  left 
in  the  bottom,  probably  because  of  water.  The  bed  is 
covered  by  6 inches  of  black  slate  upon  which  is  exposed 
3 feet  of  sandstone. 

On  the  right,  Vi  mile  up  a right  branch,  3 Vi  miles 
up  the  fork,  Mark  Standiford  has  a nine-yard  entry 
into  the  Hazard  bed,  at  altitude  1,230,  with  about  47 
inches  of  coal,  as  measured  half  way  in.  Upon  the  coal 
is  8 feet  of  shale. 

On  the  left,  Vi  mile  up  a left  branch,  4V4  miles  up 
the  fork,  William  Creech  has  an  eight-yard  entry  into 
the  Flag  bed,  at  altitude  1,310,  which  has,  at  its  mouth, 
36  inches  of  coal  under  4 feet  of  sandstone. 

Bull  Fork. — On  the  right,  414  miles  up  Brown  fork : 
Altitude  of  mouth,  1,070. 

On  the  right,  V§  mile  up  Bull  fork,  W.  Turner  has 
an  eight-yard  entry  with  the  following  section  at  its 
mouth,  4 inches  of  the  bottom  coal  at  the  face  apparently 
left  lor  drainage : 


Flag  Coal. 


Sandstone  4 ft. 

Coal  14" 

Shale  4" 

Coal  40" 


Altitude,  1340. 

On  the  right  of  Brown  fork,  4%  miles  up,  Matt  Rich 
has  a three-yard  partly  covered  entry  into  the  Flag  bed, 
at  altitude  1,350.  The  bed,  under  10  feet  of  sandstone, 
appears  to  be  4 or  5 feet  thick. 

The  Hazard  bench  shows  plainly  60  feet  under  this 
and  the  preceding  opening  with  the  cliff  directly  under 
it  here,  but  on  Brown  fork  generally,  bench  and  cliffs 
arc  far  less  conspicuous  than  on  streams  given  on  the 
preceding  pages  of  this  report. 

Both  the  Hazard  and  the  Flag  beds  give  abundant 
area  for  mining  in  this  vicinity. 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


237 


On  the  right,  % mile  up  a right  branch,  1 mile  up 
Big  creek,  Silas  Crawford  has  a wet  entry  with  the  fol- 
lowing section  at  its  mouth,  the  bottom  of  the  coal  in 
water  not  seen : 

Hazard  Coal. 


Shale  8 ft. 

Coal  2" 

Shale  3 ft. 

Coal  6" 

Shale  with  coal  18" 

Coal  26" 

Clay  1" 

Coal  33" 

Altitude,  1200 


The  upper  6 inches  of  the  26-inch  seam  is  left  to 
support  the  otherwise  very  weak  roof.  There  is  a good 
area  of  the  coal  here,  but  its  quality  was  not  ascertained. 

COAL  HARBOR  BRANCH. 

On  the  right,  1 % miles  up  Big  creek:  Altitude  of 
mouth,  845. 

Along  the  road  up  to  this  branch  to  Little  Willard 
Creek,  the  stain  of  the  Hamlin  coal  was  noted  at  alti- 
tude 1,035.  Another  at  altitude  1,120  is  probably  a slip 
from  the  Haddix  bed,  which  shows  its  stain  at  altitude 
1,140,  also  probably  below  its  normal  level. 

On  the  right  of  the  road  and  branch,  % mile  up,  an 
abandoned  entry  into  the  Hazard  coal,  at  altitude  1,220, 
under  8 feet  of  shale,  shows  3 feet  of  coal  and  a prob- 
able thickness  of  bed  of  4 or  5 feet.  The  gap  to  Little 
Willard  creek,  *4  mile  beyond,  is  35  feet  lower  than  the 
entry  and  the  area  of  coal  in  this  vicinity  is  not  great, 
but  sufficient  for  mining  if  the  coal  proves  satisfactory 
in  quality. 

At  IV2  miles  up  Big  creek  one  seam  of  the  Whites- 
burg  coal,  under  black  slate,  goes  below  drainage  at  al- 
titude 850. 

At  2 miles  up  another  seam  of  the  same  bed,  12 
inches  of  coal,  under  2 feet  of  shale,  goes  below  drainage 


238 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


at  altitude  870,  while  a third,  probably  the  upper  one, 
is  exposed  on  the  left,  20  feet  higher,  8 inches  of  coal 
under  sandstone.  This  goes  under  2y2  miles  up. 

In  a rock  house  on  the  right,  % mile  up  a right 
branch,  2 ys  miles  up  Big  creek,  is  the  following  ex- 
posure : 

Fire-clay  Coal. 


Sandstone  8 ft. 

Shale  1 ft. 

Black  slate  ...  1 ft. 

Flint  fire-clay  4" 

Coal  11" 

Fire-clay. 

Altitude,  925. 


On  the  right,  % mile  up  the  same  branch,  an  un- 
finished prospect  shows  coal  of  the  Flag  bed,  at  altitude 
1,260,  under  20  feet  of  sandstone. 

On  the  left,  Vs  mile  up  a left  hollow,  2%  miles  up 
the  creek,  a prospect  into  the  Hamlin  coal  has  been  made 
at  altitude  1,025. 

Above  this  prospect  Granville  Fields  has  a fifteen- 
yard  entry  with  the  following  section  3 yards  in: 

Flag  Coal. 


Sandstone  4 ft. 

Coal  34" 

Bone  coal  3" 

Coal  2" 


Altitude,  1265. 

On  the  left,  2%  miles  up  the  creek,  Fulton  Fields 
has  a closed  entry  into  the  Hazard  bed,  under  shale, 
said  to  have  4 feet  of  coal.  Its  altitude  is  1,210. 

Above  this  is  a long  entry  into  the  Flag  bed  with  37 
inches  of  coal  5 yards  in,  under  sandstone,  at  altitude 
1,260. 

The  Fire-clay  coal  shows  in  a slip  on  the  left,  3 miles 
up,  at  altitude  925. 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


239 


AMY  FORK. 

On  the  right,  3 miles  up  Big  creek:  Altitude  of 
mouth,  886. 

On  the  left,  % mile  up  the  fork,  Jerry  Wells  has  a 
prospect,  under  5 feet  of  sandstone,  into  the  Flag  bed  at 
altitude  1,285,  apparently  4%  to  5 feet  thick,  with  3 
feet  of  coal  visible. 

On  the  left  at  creek  level,  V>  mile  up,  is  the  following 
exposure : 


Fire-clay  Coal. 

Black  slate  and  shale  2 ft. 
Shaly  sandstone  and 


shale 12  ft. 

Coal  3" 

Flint  clay  4" 

Black  slate  1" 

Coal  2" 


Altitude,  925. 

The  flint  clay  here  may  easily  be  mistaken  for  black 
slate  on  cursory  examination. 

Steep  Field  Branch. — On  the  left,  1 y2  miles  up 
Amy  fork:  Altitude  of  mouth  1,015. 

Thin  coal  at  altitude  1,020,  in  the  branch,  % mile 
up  it,  is  probably  the  top  of  the  Fire-clay  coal  rider. 

On  the  right,  % mile  up  the  branch,  John  Morgan 
has  a long  entry  on  a prominent  bench,  giving  the  fol- 
lowing section: 


Flag  Coal. 


Sandstone  5 ft. 

Black  slate  2 ft. 

Coal  33" 

Bone  coal  2" 

Coal  2" 


Altitude,  1290. 

On  the  right,  *4  mile  up  a right  branch,  % mile  up 
Steep  Field  branch,  Rufus  Fields  has  an  eight-yard 
entry,  the  section  of  which  with  analysis  for  the  survey 
of  my  recent  sample  from  the  face  follows: 


240 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


Flag  Coal. 

Massive  sandstone  ....10  ft. 

Coal  30" 

Slaty  coal  2" 

Coal  12" 

Fire-clay. 

Altitude,  1330. 


Analysis. 

Lab.  No.  G-3675 

Moisture  1.90 

Volatile  combustile  matter  37.97 

Fixed  carbon  49.43 

Ash  10.70 


100.00 

Sulphur  1.08 

B.  T.  U 13,372. 


The  analysis  shows  a poor  coal,  but  the  lower  14 
inches,  which  is  the  bearing-in  coal,  has,  as  indicated  in 
sampling,  a much  larger  proportion  of  ash  than  the 
upper  214  feet.  As  the  bearing-in  coal  goes  mostly  to 
slack  an  excess  of  ash  in  it  is  of  little  importance,  and 
the  remaining  coal  should  stand  well  in  marketing.  The 
upper  seam  lias  some  splint  coal. 

On  a right  branch,  % mile  up  Steep  Field  branch, 
on  the  right  of  its  left  fork,  and  % mile  from  main 
Steep  Field  branch,  Levi  Couch  has  a twelve-yard  entrv 
into  the  Flag  coal  at  altitude  1,380,  giving,  under  sand- 
stone, 36  inches  of  coal  5 yards  in.  This  bed  has  some 
200  feet  of  covering  in  this  region  giving  ample  area 
for  mining  operations. 

In  Amy  fork,  1 % miles  up,  altitude  1,040,  is  black 
slate  about  10  feet  over  the  probable  Fire-clay  coal  rider 
noted  Ks  mile  up  Steep  Field  branch. 

On  the  right  at  this  point,  Bud  Couch  has  a twenty- 
five-yard  entry  into  the  Flag  coal  at  altitude  1,340, 
under  sandstone,  with  39  inches  of  coal  at  2 and  at  20 
yards  in.  The  coal  is  hard  at  the  bottom,  but  becomes 
rather  softer  a foot  up.  Its  cleavage  is  irregular. 

On  the  right,  1%  miles  up,  a coal  stain  in  the  road, 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


241 


8 inches  thick,  on  4 feet  of  shale  marks  the  place  of  the 
Hamlin  coal,  from  which  it  is  figured  that  the  Fire-clay 
coal  bed  is  about  40  feet  below  drainage  here. 

Limestone  shows  in  the  road  just  beyond  the  coal 
stain  at  altitude  1,120,  but  it  may  have  slipped  somewhat 
from  its  normal  position. 

On  the  right  of  a right  branch,  2 miles  up,  Henry 
Fields  has  a fifteen-yard  entry  with  bed  section  and 
analysis  by  the  survey,  of  the  coal  from  mv  recent  sam- 
ple taken  at  the  face,  as  follows : 

Flag  Coal. 

Massive  sandstone 

Coal  

Fire-clay. 

Altitude,  1340. 

Analysis. 

Lab.  No.  G-3674. 


Moisture  2.10 

Volatile  combustible  matter  38.50 

Fixed  carbon 53.06 

Ash  6.34 


100.00 

Sulphur  83 

B.  T.  U . 14,229. 


The  coal  when  sampled  seemed  to  be  rather  slaty, 
especially  the  lower  4 inches,  but  that  in  the  dump  gave 
no  such  indication  nor  does  the  analysis  show  it  seri- 
ously detrimental.  Although  well  up  toward  the  top  of 
the  hill  there  is  still  a good  workable  area  of  the  bed. 

Sixty  feet  below  the  entry  is  the  bench  of  the  Haz- 
ard bed  and  15  feet  below  that  the  top  of  a 40-foot  cliff 
above  the  Haddix  bed. 

On  John  Fields’  land  in  this  vicinity,  but  with  defi- 
nite location  not  now  known,  the  Hindman  bed  was 
opened  for  the  Survey  by  Mr.  Profitt  and  the  lower  36 
inches  of  coal  was  sampled  by  him.  The  section  of  the 
bed  and  analysis  of  the  outcrop  coal  by  Dr.  R.  Peter 
follows : 


....10  ft. 
39'" 


242 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


Hindman  Coal. 


Sandstone. 

Cannel  coal  6" 

Shale  . 10" 

Coal  19" 

Shale  1" 

Coal  36" 


Altitude,  1410  (?). 


Analysis. 

Lab.  No.  2,783. 


Moisture  3.50 

Volatile  combustible  matter  35.30 

Fixed  carbon  53.14 

Ash  8.06 


100.00 

Sulphur  1.035 

Specific  gravity 1.333 

Coke  dense. 


“A  weathered  sample  of  splint  coal.  Some  fibrous 
coal  between  the  thin  laminae  but  no  appearance  of 
pyrites.  Some  ferruginous  incrustation.”  The  rider  of 
cannel  coal  is  not  known  to  it  elsewhere.  The  ridges  here 
are  too  low  and  narrow  to  furnish  any  very  great 
amount  of  coal  from  this  bed,  but  there  is  sufficient  to 
warrant  working  it  when  transportation  facilities  are 
supplied  to  the  lower  beds.  The  altitude  as  given  above 
is  probably  50  to  100  feet  too  low. 

On  the  left  of  Amy  fork  at  the  mouth  of  the  branch 
just  noted,  limestone  shows  10  feet  above  it  (possibly 
slipped  from  a higher  level),  presumably  about  50  feet 
above  the  Fire-clay  coal. 

The  black  slate  in  the  fork,  1%  miles  up,  appears  in 
it  again  at  2%  miles  up  and  at  2%  miles  up,  nearly,  the 
limestone,  10  feet  higher  and  fossiliferous  here,  shows 
at  the  branch  at  altitude  1,100.  It  is  but  10  inches  thick 
and  rests  on  a layer  of  hard  sandstone  2 feet  thick. 

On  the  left,  *4  mile  up  a right  branch,  2%  miles  up 
the  fork,  Walter  Fields  has  a one-yard  entry  into  the 
Flag  bed  with  solid  coal  as  given  following: 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


243 


Flag  Coal. 

Sandstone. 

Coal  10" 

Clay  1" 

Coal  29" 

Black  slate. 

Altitude,  1350. 


The  bed  has  a northeasterly  dip  of  some  10%  as  at 
the  entry  next  given,  but  there  is  nothing  in  the  topo- 
graphy to  indicate  more  than  a very  narrow  limit  to 
such  excessive  inclination  of  strata. 

On  the  left,  3 miles  up  Amy  fork,  and  50  feet  above 
it,  Cady  Shepherd  has  a ten-yard  entry  on  a bench  50 
feet  above  the  fork,  under  10  feet  of  argillaceous  sand- 
stone, into  the  Hazard  bed  probably,  at  altitude  1,290. 
The  coal,  37  inches  thick  at  the  face  of  the  entry,  is 
bright  and  hard  excepting  toward  the  bottom  where  it 
is  somewhat  softer. 

Correlation  here  is  quite  uncertain,  the  dip  of  the 
coal  10%  in  the  entry  but  not  so  indicated  outside,  intro- 
ducing a factor  of  unknown  importance.  The  bed  sec- 
tion is  so  nearly  like  those  of  the  preceding  entry  given 
and  of  that  farthest  up  Steep  Field  branch  that  correla- 
tion with  those  would  be  justified,  but  that  the  height 
and  occurrence  on  a bench  (which  is  not  apt  to  be  the 
case  with  the  Flag  coal),  indicate  the  Hazard  bed. 

Being  near  the  bottom  of  fairly  high  hills  the  bed 
has  abundant  area,  as  may  be  the  case  with  the  Hindman 
bed  also. 


BOAR  BRANCH. 

On  the  left,  3%  miles  up  Big  creek:  Altitude  of 
mouth,  895. 

On  the  right,  mile  up  the  branch,  at  the  head  of 
a right  drain,  Mrs.  Charles  Fields  has  a six-yard  entry 
with  the  following  section  at  its  face : 


244 


North  Fork  or  Kentucky  River 


Hazard  Coal. 


Shale  

Coal  

Shale  

Coal  

Altitude,  1220. 


1 ft. 
2" 

. 2" 
.57" 


This  entry,  Vi  mile  above  Amy  fork,  in  connection 
with  one  into  the  same  bed  at  altitude  1,210,  V4  mile 
below  the  fork,  gives  excellent  opportunity  for  finding 
the  interval  between  it  and  the  Fire-clay  coal  at  the 
mouth  of  Amy  fork,  which,  by  barometer,  is  290  feet. 

Black  slate  in  square  blocks  in  the  creek  4 miles  up, 
at  altitude  905,  is  about  30  feet  below  the  Fire-clay  coal. 

On  the  right,  4 Vi  miles  up,  Wilson  Baker  has  a 
twenty-five-yard  entry  into  the  Hazard  coal  at  altitude 
1,225,  giving  at  its  face  58  inches  of  clean  coal  under 
shale. 

In  the  creek,  4%  miles  up  is  a foot  or  two  of  lime- 
stone at  altitude  920,  about  20  feet  below  the  Fire-clay 
coal. 


WHITTAKER  BRANCH. 

On  the  light,  4%  miles  up  Big  creek : Altitude  of 
mouth,  927. 

On  the  left,  Vs  mile  up,  are  thin  coals  at  altitudes 
960  and  975,  the  latter  over  black  slate  showing  also, 
on  the  same  level,  Vi  mile  up  and  in  the  branch.  On  the 
left,  Vi  mile  up,  are  two  coals  of  3 inches  each,  in  shale, 
at  altitudes  990  and  1,010.  One  or  more  of  these  four 
seams,  ranging  from  20  to  70  feet  above  the  Fire-clay 
coal,  doubtless  represents  its  rider.  The  remainder  and 
included  strata,  apparently  mostly  shale,  are  not  in- 
trusions thickening  the  series,  but  occupy  the  place,  in 
part,  of  sandstone  usually  found  at  this  horizon. 

Again  on  the  left,  Vi  mile  up  the  branch,  limestone 
appears  at  altitude  1,115,  and  above  that  Peter  Whit- 
taker has  a twenty-five  yard  entry  into  the  Hazard  bed 
at  altitude  1,230,  having  57  inches  of  coal  at  its  face  and 
reported  to  have  3 or  4 inches  more  coal  under  a part- 
ing at  the  bottom.  It  has  4 feet  of  shale  covering  under 
sandstone. 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


245 


On  the  right  at  the  school  house,  5%  miles  up  Big 
creek,  is  the  following  section : 

Sandstone  .... 

Shale  

Black  slate  .. 

Coal  

Mostly  shale 
Sandstone  .... 

Altitude,  975 

On  the  right,  5 Vo  miles  up,  R.  B.  Fields  has  a ten- 
yard  entry  into  the  Flag  bed  at  altitude  1,225,  with  55 
inches  of  coal  at  its  face,  and  reported  11  inches  of  coal 
under  2 inches  parting  beneath.  The  roof  is  shale. 

In  the  creek,  5%  miles  up,  the  Fire-clay  coal  is  at 
altitude  945.  A pit  from  which  the  coal  was  taken  is 
about  2 feet  deep  and  is  said  to  have  2 feet  of  coal.  From 
indications  down  the  creek  it  is  unlikely  that  the  bed 
here  amounts  to  much. 

On  the  left  at  this  point,  R.  B.  Fields  has  an  aban- 
doned entry  into  the  Hazard  (?)  coal,  at  altitude  1,245, 
under  10  feet  of  shale.  The  coal  at  the  mouth  of  the 
entry  is  entirely  covered,  but  the  dump  shows  cannel 
coal  present  there. 


.10  ft. 

. 4 ft. 

. l ft. 

. l ft. 

.15  ft. 

.20  ft.  (to  creek). 


WOLF  BRANCH. 

On  the  right,  5%  miles  up : Altitude  of  mouth,  955. 

One  of  the  thin  seams  of  coal  found  low  down  on 
Whittaker  branch  shows  % mile  up  this  branch  and  in 
it,  8 inches  thick,  at  least,  and  possibly  considerably 
more,  at  altitude  1,020. 

On  the  right  of  the  branch,  % mile  up,  the  Combs 
heirs  have  a long  entry  with  the  following  section  at  its 
mouth,  the  lower  5 inches  in  water  and  not  seen : 

Hazard  Coal. 


Sandstone  2 ft. 

Covered  5 ft. 

Shale  2 ft. 

Coal  and  shale  4" 

Shale  6" 

Coal  59" 

Altitude,  1220. 


246 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


In  Big  creek,  6%  miles  np  it,  is  another  pit  sunk 
into  coal  at  altitude  960,  reported  without  parting  and 
47  inches  thick.  If  such  is  the  case  and  it  is  of  the 
Fire-clay  coal  bed,  as  is  most  probable,  it  augurs  well 
for  mines  near  Hazard  driving  in  this  direction,  though, 
with  the  variations  shown  in  the  bed  farther  down  the 
river  and  with  the  bed  known  to  be  thin  south  and  west 
from  here,  full  reliance  should  not  be  placed  on  this  one 
favorable  indication. 

BENS  BRANCH  (ORCHARD  HOLLOW). 

On  the  left,  6%  miles  up:  Altitude  of  mouth,  975. 

On  the  right,  % mile  up  the  branch,  Andrew  Brown- 
ing has  a new  opening  into  the  Hazard  bed  at  altitude 
1,235,  showing  about  5 feet  of  coal  under  one  foot  of 
shale.  It  is  on  an  unusually  broad  bench. 

NIGGER  (JENNY  LICK)  BRANCH. 

On  the  left,  6%  miles  up  Big  creek:  Altitude  of 
mouth,  980. 

On  the  left,  % mile  up,  Irvine  Eversole  has  a four- 
yard  entry  into  the  Hazard  coal  at  altitude  1,270,  giv- 
ing, half  wav  in,  58  inches  of  coal,  under  4 feet  of  shale. 

On  the  left,  1 mile  up,  Irvine  (formerly  Alfred) 
Eversole  has  a six-yard  entry  with  the  following  bed 
section  as  given  in  a previous  report.  The  entry  is  now 
closed  but  its  covering  is  exposed: 


Hazard  Coal. 


Shale  

Thin  coal. 

4 

ft. 

Shale  

3 

ft. 

Coal  

44' 

Shale  

2' 

Coal  

Altitude,  1230. 

18' 

On  the  right,  6%  miles  up  Big  creek,  280  feet  above 
it,  Matt  Granover  (formerly  Alfred  Eversole),  has  a 
ten-yard  entry  with  the  following  section  at  its  face,  to 
which  should  probably  be  added  4 to  6 inches  of  coal  at 
the  bottom  supposed  to  be  left  for  drainage.  Forty 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


247 


feet  higher  is  the  Flag  bed  containing  cannel  coal,  but 
it  appears  never  to  have  been  opened  in  this  vicinity. 

Hazard  Coal. 


Sandstone  8 ft. 

Coal  2" 

Shale  2 ft. 

Coal  54" 


Altitude,  1265. 

This  is  all  good,  clean-looking  coal. 

A former  measurement  of  the  same  bed  in  a pit  on 
a spur  in  the  close  vicinity  gave  62  inches  of  coal  and 
10  inches  parting  16  inches  from  the  bottom,  but  as  the 
parting  and  bottom  coal  were  in  water  and  the  floor 
somewhat  uncertain  the  lower  thicknesses  may  need  cor- 
rection. 


JACK’S  BRANCH. 

On  the  right,  7%  miles  up:  Altitude  of  month,  997. 

A quarter  mile  up  Jack’s  branch  to  Minyard  branch 
on  the  right,  and  on  the  left,  % mile  up  the  latter,  Elilm 
Minyard  has  a closed  entry  into  the  Hazard  bed,  hav- 
ing 4 or  5 feet  of  coal,  4 feet  visible,  at  altitude  1,245. 
On  the  coal  are  5 feet  of  shale  overlain  by  sandstone. 

BUFFALO  FORK. 

On  the  left,  7%  miles  up  Big  creek:  Altitude  of 
mouth,  1,025. 

On  the  right  of  the  branch  at  its  mouth  is  coal  at  al- 
titude, 1,035,  said  to  be  2 feet  thick. 

On  the  right,  % mile  up,  are  12  inches  of  coal  under 
4 feet  of  sandstone  at  altitude  1,065.  The  Hamlin  bed 
appears  here  to  be  separated  into  two  parts  by  30  feet 
of  shale  principally. 

On  the  left,  % mile  up,  Link  Eversole,  Jr.,  has  a 
four-yard  wet  entry  into  the  Hazard  bed  at  altitude 
1,215,  having,  under  shale,  about  5 feet  of  cog-1. 

On  the  right,  8%  miles  up  Big  creek,  John  Eversole 
has  a closed  entry  into  the  Hazard  bed  at  altitude  1,315. 


248 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


On  the  left,  9 miles  up,  Link  Eversole  has  a twelve- 
yard  entry  with  the  following  section,  as  obtained,  the 
upper  half  at  its  face  and  the  lower  half  at  its  mouth: 

Hazard  Coal. 


Sandstone  3 ft. 

Coal  22" 

Clay  2" 

Coal  27" 

Shale  3" 

Coal  4" 


Altitude,  1315. 


A broad  bench  marks  the  outcrop  of  this  bed  at 
nearly  every  opening  down  the  creek,  and  this  together 
with  the  uniformity  in  altitudes  serves  for  determina 
tion  of  the  correlation  of  this  and  of  the  following  open- 
ing in  disregard  of  the  differing  bed  sections  and  roofs. 

The  entry  is  170  feet  above  the  creek  here. 

Bearing  to  the  left  from  Link  Eversole ’s,  9%  miles 
up  Big  creek  to  a branch  on  the  right  at  the  ‘ ‘ Long 
Rockliouse,”  and  on  the  left  % mile  up  the  branch,  10 
feet  above  it,  is  a four-yard  entry,  partly  closed,  having 
the  following  section : 


Hazard  Coal. 


Sandstone  

. 4 ft. 

Coal  

.23" 

Clay  ... 

. 2" 

Shelly  coal  and  clay. 

. iy2  ft. 

Clay  

. iy2  ft. 

Coal  

.36"  C?'! 

Altitude,  1295. 

The  lower  seam,  measured  in  1L>  feet  of  water  on  a 
previous  visit,  may  possibly  be  not  clean  coal.  The 
shelly  coal  and  clay  were  so  interleaved  as  to  make  use- 
less any  attempt  to  separate  measurements.  At  the 
outcrop  the  shelly  coal  was  not  apparent,  and  the  pros- 
pect is  therefore  favorable  that  on  farther  entrance  the 
clay  interleaved  with  the  coal  will  disappear  quickly.  In 
fact,  the  numerous  entries  into  this  bed  on  Big  creek, 
as  well  as  others  across  the  ridge  on  Macies  creek,  show 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


249 


that  this  opening  has  developed  abnormal  conditions, 
besides  which  an  apparent  roll  shows  in  the  entry,  giv- 
ing another  reason  for  believing  such  conditions  con- 
fined to  narrow  limits.  The  two  partings  in  the  Link 
Eversole  entry,  however,  indicate  some  change  of  char- 
acter of  the  bed  about  the  head  of  the  creek. 

On  the  right  at  the  head  of  this  branch,  % mile  up 
it,  an  unfinished  prospect  into  what  may  be  of  the  Hind- 
man bed,  though  probably  too  high  for  it,  at  altitude 
1,575,  shows  about  3y2  feet  of  coal  under  5 feet  of  shale. 
The  opening  is  15  feet  above  the  gap  there  to  Macies 
creek. 

Along  the  dividing  ridge  to  the  right  near  a bridle- 
path across  it,  the  Hindman  bed  shows  a stain  of  5 to  6 
feet  thickness  at  altitude  1,595.  Though  high  in  the  hill 
the  rise  of  peaks  300  to  400  feet  higher  may  give  attrac- 
tive areas  for  mining  when  transportation  to  lower  beds 
is  provided. 


THE  COALS  OF  CARR  FORK. 


THE  COALS  OF  CARR  FORK. 


In  the  last  decade  there  has  been  an  almost  com- 
plete abandonment  of  wood  fires  by  the  inhabitants  of 
Eastern  Kentucky,  coal  being  now  in  general  use.  This 
has  led  to  the  making  of  many  openings,  which  during 
the  winter  are  accessible,  but  in  summer  are  often 
banked  up  with  falls  of  earth  from  the  mouths  of  en- 
tries. Exposures  enough  remain,  however,  to  give,  in 
most  localities,  a fairly  accurate  knowledge  of  the  bed 
best  adapted  to  local  use,  and  occasional  other  prospect- 
ing helps  to  carry  correlations  through  the  region  and 
give  a general  knowledge  of  nearly  all  the  beds  of  the 
field. 

Strata  above  drainage  in  this  region  include  about 
600  feet  above  the  Fire-clay  coal  bed  and  250  feet  below 
it,  but  only  in  the  river  hill  between  Big  branch  and 
Bull  creek  can  they  all  be  found  in  one  locality. 

The  principal  bed  of  the  region  is  unquestionably 
the  Fire-clay  coal.  On  it  main  dependence  must  be 
placed,  while  other  beds  are  regarded  as  the  source  of 
additional  supply  wherever  they  provide  workable 
areas.  This  coal  is  of  workable  thickness  in  all  but  a 
few  small  parts  of  the  region,  as  the  detailed  descrip- 
tion comprising  the  bulk  of  this  report  shows ; its  prin- 
cipal coal  seam  (the  upper  bench)  is  of  exceptionally 
good  and  uniform  quality  and  its  under  seam  has  much 
good  coal  in  it,  including  cannel  at  one  point;  its  roof 
is  usually  a good  sandstone  even  when  it  appears  as 
shale  on  the  outcrop — so  good  that  the  f aimer  miner 
will  abandon  a thicker  coal  in  preference  to  it,  and  the 
bed  is  at  moderately  convenient  height  throughout  the 
region,  covering  probably  over  three-quarters  of  it. 

The  Whitesburg  bed  seems  to  vary  in  its  distance 
from  the  Fire-clay  coal,  from  about  25  feet  below  it  to  as 
much  as  100  feet,  the  latter  on  Collins  branch  where  it 
is  in  part  cannel  coal.  On  Little  Carr  it  is  also  partly 
cannel,  but  at  neither  place  does  it  add  to  the  value  of 


254 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


the  bed.  With  varied  section,  including  more  or  less  of 
partings,  its  workable  area  is  probably  limited  to  Carr 
fork  from  Breeding  to  Branham  creeks,  with  possibly 
half  of  the  branches  included. 

The  Amburgy  bed,  uniformly  about  200  feet  below 
the  Fire-clay  coal,  is  probably  workable  along  Carr  fork 
from  Irishman  creek  (where  it  is  slightly  below  drain- 
age) to  Deer  fork,  but  elsewhere  it  is  too  thin  or  too 
much  cut  up  by  partings,  and  such  condition  is  to  be 
expected  of  it  away  from  the  immediate  vicinity  of  Carr 
fork,  where  it  is  below  drainage  and  as  yet  undeveloped. 

Attention  is  here  called  to  a coal  bed  about  20  feet 
under  the  Amburgy,  very  thin  so  far  as  known,  and  un- 
important, but  remarkable  for  its  persistency. 

Above  the  Fire-clay  coal,  its  rider  and  the  Flag  coal 
are  the  only  beds  known  of  workable  thickness  and  suf- 
ficient area.  The  rider  has  been  found  especially  attrac- 
tive on  Smith  branch,  17%  miles  up  Carr,  and  on  Deer 
fork,  but  it  is  generally  either  much  hurt  by  partings  or 
thin. 

The  Flag  coal  continues  in  this  field,  so  far  as 
known,  its  condition  as  shown  down  the  river  and  on 
Lots  and  Lost  creeks,  a good  thick  coal,  generally  without 
serious  partings,  under  a strong  sandstone  roof.  Where- 
ever  its  area  permits  mining  it  will  be  most  attractive,  but 
there  is  probably  no  such  area  of  it  above  Betty  Trouble- 
some creek. 

The  Hindman  bed  is  lacking  in  area  all  through  this 
region  excepting  at  the  heads  of  Yellow  creek  and  on 
Betty  Troublesome.  It  retains  its  height  of  about  530 
feet  above  the  Fire-clay  coal. 

The  sandstone  directly  under  the  Haddix  coal  bed 
seems  to  be  particularly  favorable  for  obtaining  good 
flagstones  for  local  use,  several  quarries  having  been 
noted  in  that  position. 

For  the  new  railway  up  the  river  good  building 
stones  were  always  obtained  at  convenient  places  in  this 
region  from  near  the  level  of  the  Amburgy  coal  bed. 

The  20  to  30  feet  of  cliff-forming  sandstone  under 
the  Hazard  coal  retains  that  characteristic  in  this  region, 
and  in  that  part  of  it  between  Carr  fork  and  Bull  creek 
its  excessive  hardness  has  been  the  chief  cause  of  the 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


255 

unusually  broad  areas  on  or  near  the  tops  cf  the  ridges, 
giving  farms  and  habitations  on  their  comparatively 
light  slopes  to  which  is  locally  given  the  name  of  “ fiat- 
woods.  ’ ’ 

The  northwest  dip  of  strata  continues,  with  minor 
variations,  up  Carr  fork  to  its  head,  but  along  the  river 
it  is  interrupted  by  a nearly  level,  apparently  undulat- 
ing, rise  and  fall  from  Carr  fork  to  Bull  creek,  and  a 
rise  up  Bull  creek,  where  normally  the  rocks  should  be 
level,  to  meet  the  rise  up  Carr  and  its  branches  to  oppo- 
site the  heads  of  Bull  creek. 

In  the  following  detailed  description  is  included  all 
observed  data  of  strata  noted  with  a view  to  obtaining 
not  only  the  fullest  knowledge  possible  under  present 
conditions  of  development  of  all  workable  beds,  but 
also  of  such  others  as  may  become  workable  in  the 
future,  or  may  assist  in  correlation. 

Measurements  given  in  inches  are  exact  unless  other- 
wise stated,  given  in  feet  are  approximate  only.  Dis- 
tances in  yards  are  by  estimation  and  in  miles  as  ob- 
tained from  maps  or  by  report  or  estimation.  In  ascer- 
taining distances  up  Carr  fork  from  its  mouth,  there  may 
be  in  the  total  a considerable  error,  but  for  approximate 
distances  from  point  to  point  not  far  apart  they  may  be 
relied  upon. 

Altitudes  of  mouths  of  streams  are  very  nearly  cor- 
rect as  given,  recently  taken  levels  having  been  carried 
over  most  of  the  region.  Altitudes  of  coal  openings 
were  determined  by  barometer,  but,  with  opportunities 
for  reference  to  those  levels  usually  at  hand,  the  alti- 
tudes are  far  more  reliable  than  were  those  of  former 
years. 

Those  entries  are  designated  wet  which  had  water 
in  them  (usually  six  inches  to  a foot  deep)  which  pre- 
vented access  to  the  face  of  the  coal.  At  them  the  beds 
were  measured  in  outcrop,  so  far  as  they  admitted. 

CARR  FORK. 

Six  and  one-quarter  miles  above  Hazard.  Altitude 
of  mouth,  880. 

On  the  right,  % mile  up,  J.  P.  Combs  has  a wet 
entry  with  the  following  section : 


256 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


Fire-clay  Coal. 


Sandstone  4 ft. 

Shale  2 ft. 

Coal  4" 

Shale  2" 

Coal  29" 

Bony  coal  3" 


Flint  clay. 

Coal  (?). 

Altitude,  1095. 

The  total  thickness,  from  the  two  feet  of  shale 
down,  is  47  inches ; the  flint  clay  is  probably  not  over  4 
inches  thick,  leaving  5 inches  or  more  for  coal  at  the 
bottom.  The  bony  or  slaty  coal  is  not  marketable.  The 
roof  is  good,  probably  becoming  sandstone  a few  yards 
in. 

On  the  same  property  and  on  the  right  of  the  creek 
an  eighth  mile  farther  np,  a covered  prospect  indicates 
a good  thickness  of  Flag  coal  at  altitude  1,450. 

ACUP  BRANCH. 

On  the  left  of  Carr,  1 y2  miles  up.  Altitude  of 
mouth,  895. 

On  the  right  of  this  branch,  14  mile  up,  Sampson 
Combs  has  a wet  entry  giving  the  following  section : 

Fire-clay  Coal. 

Coal  stain. 


Shale  1 ft. 

Coal  5" 

Sandstone  3 ft. 

Shale  8 ft. 

Coal  6" 

Shale  1" 

Coal  31" 


Flint  clay. 

Altitude,  1070. 

A half  mile  up  a branch  on  the  right,  % mile  up 
Acup  branch,  in  the  point  of  a hill  on  the  left,  an  aban- 
doned opening  shows  a possible  4 feet  of  coal  covered, 
under  about  3 feet  of  shale  and  20  inches  of  coal  over 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


257 


that.  Its  altitude,  1,480,  is  high  for  the  Flag  coal  and 
low  for  the  one  above  it. 


Millseat  Branch.- — -On  the  right,  % mile  up  Acup. 
The  same  bed  is  opened  on  the  right  at  the  head  of 
this  branch,  % mile  up  it,  with  the  following  section  at 
the  mouth  of  a 3-vard  wet  entry : 


Flag  (?)  Coal. 

Sandstone. 


Coal  19" 

Shale  10" 

Coal  43" 


Altitude,  1465. 


Both  openings  are  on  Edward  Combs’  land.  A 
prominent  bench  lies  60  feet  higher. 

On  the  left  of  Acup  branch  at  its  level,  % mile  up,  the 
following  is  exposed  in  a cliff : 


Whitesburg  Coal. 

Massive  sandstone. 


Shale  20  ft. 

Coal  6" 

Bone  coal  5" 

Coal  7" 

Coal  and  shale  3 ft. 

Altitude,  1015. 


The  coal  and  shale  at  the  bottom  alternate  too  fre- 
quently for  measurement. 

On  the  right,  % mile  up  and  again  % mile  up,  Roland 
Combs  has  eight-yard  and  fifteen-yard  entries  into  the 
Fire-clay  coal,  the  latter  at  creek  level,  which  give  sec- 
tions as  follows : 


K.  R. — 9. 


258 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


Fire-clay  Coal.  Fire-cldy -Coal. 

8-yard  entry.  15-yard  entry. 


Sandstone. 

Sandstone 

15  ft. 

Shale  

1 ft. 

Shale  

6" 

Coal  

2" 

Coal  

© 

CO 

Shale  

1" 

Flint  clay  

7" 

Coal  

5" 

Cannel  coal  

7" 

Shale  

2" 

Black  slate  or  coal. 

Coal  

CO 

© 

Altitude,  1060. 

Flint  clay  

5" 

Coal  

6" 

Cannel  coal  

5" 

Coal  

7" 

Altitude,  1060. 

The  floor  of  the  upper  entry,  in  water,  could  not 
be  ascertained  fully.  The  flint  fire-clay  here  is  black 
instead  of  the  usual  brown,  and  may  easily  be  mistaken 
for  black  slate,  or  for  coal  if  not  inspected  closely.  The 
cannel  coal  appears  good. 

On  the  right  of  a left  branch  one  mile  up  Acup 
branch,  close  to  the  Roland  Combs  house,  in  the  branch 
and  15  feet  above  Acup  branch,  the  Fire-clay  coal  rider 
has  the  following  section : 

Fire-clay  Coal  Rider. 


Sandstone  20  ft. 

Shale  4 ft. 

Coal  . 27" 

Bituminous  slate  5" 

Slaty  coal  9" 

Altitude,  1085. 


The  bottom  coal,  measured  in  water  with  difficulty, 
may  be  slightly  more  or  less  than  9 inches.  The  slate 
parting  closely  resembles  the  black  fire-clay  parting  of 
the  lower  bed.  So  far  as  known  such  parting  does  not 
appear  elsewhere  in  this  bed,  but  farther  up  on  Carr 
and  up  the  liver  it  is  often  seen  as  float,  washed  pre- 
sumably from  the  Fire-clay  coal,  but  possibly  from  its 
rider. 

Cn  the  left,  a quarter  mile  up  the  right  fork  of 
Acup  and  two  miles  from  Carr,  a prospect  on  land  of 
Combs  heirs  into  the  Flag  bed  at  altitude  1,425  gives 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


259 


58  indies  of  rich,  hard,  block  coal  under  4 feet  of  shale 
covered  by  sandstone. 

On  a right  branch,  2%  miles  up  Carr,  on  the  right, 
ys  mile  up  the  branch,  Benjamin  Combs,  has  a four-yard 
entry  of  the  following  section : 

Fire-clay  Coal. 


Shale  with  calcar- 
eous concretions....  4 ft. 

Coal  6" 

Shale  1" 

Coal  8" 

Shale  with  coal  24" 

Coal  29" 

Flint  fire-clay 6" 

Shale  8" 

Altitude,  1080. 


The  bottom  shale,  which  may  be  thicker  than  8 
inches,  possibly  overlies  more  coal  of  this  bed.  The 
roof  is  good,  indicating  a change  to  sandstone.  Five 
other  entries  or  prospects  into  this  bed  have  been  made 
on  this  property,  all  within  a quarter  of  a mile  and  all 
closed. 

On  the  right  of  a left  branch,  2 y2  miles  up  Carr,  by 
his  house,  Washington  Combs  has  a twelve-yard  wet  entry 
with  the  section  following: 

Fire-clay  Coal. 


Sandstone  8 ft. 

Shale  6 ft. 

Coal  39" 

Flint  clay  8" 

Coal  7" 


Black  slate  floor. 

Altitude,  1070. 

More  coal  was  reported  below  the  floor,  which  was 
felt  but  not  seen.  The  7-inch  coal  was  not  measured 
exactly. 


260 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


On  the  right,  3 miles  up  Carr,  a twelve-yard  entry, 
and  on  the  left  a closed  entry,  3%  miles  up,  both  of 


Robert  Combs,  give  the  Fir 
at  least  a part  of  the  rider. 

Fire-clay  Coal. 


Sandy  shale  10  ft. 

Coal  38" 

Flint  clay  3" 

Coal  5" 

Black  slate  3" 

Clay. 


Altitude,  1050. 


-clay  coal  and  its  rider,  or 

Fire-clay  Rider. 


Shale  4 ft. 

Coal  2 ft. 

Shale  1^  It. 

Coal  8" 

Shale  2" 

Coal  3" 

Shale  8 ft 


Fire-clay  coal. 
Altitude,  1050. 


WHITE  OAK  BRANCH. 

On  the  left,  3%  miles  up  Carr.  Altitude  of  mouth, 

915. 

On  the  right  of  this  branch,  % mile  up*  it,  is  14 
inches  of  coal  of  the  Whitesburg  bed  probably,  at  alti- 
tude 1,040,  with  2 feet  of  shale  and  then  sandstone, 
mostly  thin-bedded,  to  the  bed  above  it. 

On  the  right  of  the  branch,  % mile  up  and  10  feet 
above  it,  Short  Gardner  has  a seven-yard  wet  entry  in 
38  inches  of  coal,  with  a hard  floor  and  sandy  shale 
roof;  its  altitude  is  1,065. 

SCUDDY  BRANCH. 

On  the  right,  4 miles  up  Carr.  Altitude  of  mouth, 

920. 

In  the  branch,  a half  mile  up,  is  11  inches  of  coal 
under  8 feet  of  shale  at  altitude  1,040  and  on  the  right, 
25  feet  higher,  6 inches  of  coal  on  5 feet  of  fire-clay  and 
under  iy2  feet  of  shale  and  a 25-foot  sandstone  cliff. 
This  may  be  the  beginning  of  a bed,  100  feet  under  the 
Fire-clay  coal,  which  assumes  considerable  importance 
farther  up  Carr,  but  there  it  has  thick  shale  over,  as 
well  as  under  it. 

On  the  left,  % mile  and  one  mile  up,  John  Mullins 
has  eight-yard  and  twelve-yard  entries  which  give  the 
following: 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


261 


Fire-clay  Coal. 

Sandstone 

1 ft. 

Sandstone 

5 ft. 

Shaiy  sandstone  

1 ft. 

Coal  

30" 

Coal  

37" 

Flint  clay  

4" 

Flint  clay  

5" 

Coal  

13" 

Coal  

5" 

Fire-clay. 

Black  slate 

4" 

Sandstone. 

Coal  

Altitude,  1140. 

4" 

Altitude,  1150. 

The  bottom  coal  at  the  higher  entry  lias  a knife- 
edge  of  black  slate  at  the  face,  decreased  from  3 inches 
between  two  6-inch  seams  of  coal  at  the  mouth  of  the 
entry. 

On  the  left  at  the  forks,  1%  miles  up,  at  stream 
level,  on  John  Combs’  land,  is  the  following: 

Hamlin  Coal 

Shale  

Coal  

Shale  

Coal  

Shale  

Coal  

Altitude,  1280. 

Bv  the  house,  on  the  right,  some  50  feet  higher,  an 
opening  has  been  made  into  what  is  probably  the  Had- 
dix  bed,  but  the  prospect  is  wholly  closed. 

On  a left  branch,  4%  miles  up  Carr,  on  the  left, 
mile  up  it,  J.  P.  Combs  has  a five-yard  entry  with  the 
following  section: 


.10  ft. 
. 7" 

. 6" 

. 6" 

. 3" 
.10" 


Fire-clay  Coal. 


Coal  36" 

Bone  coal  3" 

Coal  4" 

Flint  clay  3" 

Coal  3" 

Black  slate  7" 

Clay. 


Altitude,  1060. 


Only  the  36  inches  at  the  top  is  mined. 


262 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


GEORGE’S  BRANCH. 

On  the  right,  4%  miles  up  Carr.  Altitude  of  mouth, 

925. 

On  the  left  of  a left  branch,  % mile  up  George’s 
branch,  % mile  up  the  left  branch,  J.  J.  Mullins  has  a 
wet  entry  giving  36  inches  of  coal  at  its  mouth.  An 
adjacent  entry  formerly  gave  to  the  writer  39  inches  of 
coal  with  6 inches  of  black-jack  and  black  slate  below. 

At  34  mile  up  Allen  Sumner  has  a wet  entry  on  the 
left,  and  on  the  left  of  a right  branch,  14  mile  up  it, 
Jesse  Combs  has  an  eight-yard  entry.  Their  sections 
are : 


Fire-clay  Coal. 


Sumner. 

Sandstone 5 ft. 

Coal  41" 

Flint  clay  5 to  6" 

Coal. 

Altitude,  1145. 


Combs. 


Sandstone 10  ft. 

Coal  21" 

Flint  clay  6" 

Coal  .11" 


Altitude,  1155. 


In  each  of  these  the  fire-clay  parting  is  black,  re- 
sembling slate.  In  the  Sumner  entry  the  roof  is  notice- 
ably good.  I11  the  Combs  entry  the  massive  sandstone  is 
uneven  at  bottom  and  the  coal  follows  its  irregulari- 
ties. On  one  side  of  the  entry  near  the  top,  a thin  sand- 
stone parting  appears,  which  runs  down  towards  the 
middle  of  the  bed  and  apparently  culminates  and  ends 
in  a 6-inch  ball  at  the  face.  This  freakish  sandstone 
and  great  reduction  of  the  upper  coal  are  not  likely  to 
extend  far.  The  measurements  given  are  from  the 
mouth  of  the  entry.  At  the  face  the  parting  is  about 
half  as  thick,  but  the  effective  coal  is  reduced  by  a little 
coal  sticking  to  the  fire-clay. 

A mile  up  to  the  forks  of  the  creek,  and  14  mile  up 
the  left  fork,  15  feet  above  it,  an  eight-yard  entry  on 
the  left  and  at  water  level,  and  a two-yard  entry  on  the 
right,  both  in  the  Fire-clay  coal  at  altitude  1.200,  give 
33  inches  of  coal  on  5 to  8 inches  of  black  flint  fire-clay 
with  coal  below,  4 inches  thick  in  the  latter  entry.  Five 
feet  of  sandstone  shows  above  them. 

On  the  left  of  the  right  fork,  y%  mile  up  it,  30  feet 
above  stream,  and  on  the  right,  % mile  up,  10  feet  above 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


263 


stream,  in  a 20-yarcl  entry  of  Robert  Combs,  the  follow- 
ing sections  were  taken : 


On  Left. 

Sandstone 

Coal  

Flint  clay. 

Shale  

Altitude,  1210. 


. 5 ft. 
44"  (?) 

.30  ft. 


On  Right. 

Sandstone 

Coal  

Flint  clay  

Coal  

Clay  

Sandstone. 

Altitude,  1210. 


.15  ft. 
.40"  (?) 
. 6" 

. 5" 

. 1 ft. 


It  is  possible  that  a black-jack  of  some  4 inches 
thickness  lying  on  the  flint  fire-clay  is  included  as  coal 
in  the  foregoing. 

The  rock-house  on  the  right  just  beyond  the  Combs 
entry,  3 feet  above  the  stream  has  in  it  about  the  same 
section  as  the  entry. 


MONTGOMERY  BRANCH. 

On  the  right,  5%  miles  up  Carr.  Altitude  of 
month,  935. 

From  this  branch  at  its  mouth  a cliff  rises  of  some 
30  feet  of  shale,  with  40  to  50  feet  of  sandstone  on  top 
of  that,  carrying  the  measures  nearly  to  the  thin  coal 
100  feet  below  the  Fire-clay  coal. 

In  a left  branch,  a mile  up  Montgomery,  9 inches 
of  coal  at  altitude  1,030  (the  6-incli  coal  of  Scuddy)  is 
covered  by  5 feet  of  shaly  and  20  feet  of  more  massive 
sandstone. 

On  the  right,  *4  mile  up  the  branch,  on  D.  Combs’ 
land,  is  a prospect  into  the  Fire-clay  coal,  fallen  in,  but 
with  3 feet  of  coal  still  visible  under  15  feet  of  shale;  its 
altitude,  1,115.  In  the  first  right  drain  below,  a pros- 
pect revealed  the  following: 


264 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


Fire-clay  Coal  Rider. 


Shaly  sandstone  5 ft. 

Coal  6" 

Shale  1" 

Coal  7" 

Shale  3" 

Coal  14" 

Shale  10" 

Coal  9" 

Shale  2" 

Coal  5" 

Altitude,  1140. 


A total  of  45  inches  of  coal  in  a bed  of  57  inches 
total  thickness. 

On  the  right  1%  miles  up,  Judge  Combs  has  a pros- 
pect into  the  Fire-clay  coal  with  section  given  below  ap- 
proximately. 

Kelly  Fork. — On  the  left,  2 miles  np  Montgomery 
branch.  Altitude  of  mouth,  1115. 

On  the  left,  % mile  up  this  fork,  Judge  Combs  has 
a wet  entry  with  the  section  following: 


Prospect. 

Shale  

...15 

Fire-clay  Coal. 

Entry. 

ft.  Shale  

Coal  

...44' 

Coal  

Flint  clay  

....  4' 

' Flint  clay  

Coal  

....  5' 

' Coal  

Altitude,  1145. 

Altitude,  1160. 

The  flint  fire-clay  is  black  and  possibly  should  in- 
clude 3 or  4 inches  of  what  is  given  as  coal  above  it. 

On  the  right,  % mile  up  Kelly  fork,  the  top  seams 
and  parting  of  the  rider  are  exposed  25  feet  above  the 
Fire-clay  coal. 

On  the  left,  at  the  forks  of  Ivellv  fork,  1 mile  up, 
40  inches  of  the  main  seam  of  the  Fire-clay  coal  was 
seen,  but  not  the  bottom.  Under  it  is  4 inches  of  flint 
fire-clay  and  below  that  3 inches  of  black  slate.  Five 
feet  of  shale  covers  the  bed.  Its  altitude  here  is  1,265. 

On  a right  branch,  2%  miles  up  Montgomery  branch, 
on  the  left  ys  mile  up  the  branch,  Robert  Summers  has 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


265 


an  opening  as  given  below:  With  it  is  given  the  section 
at  a wet  entry  on  the  left,  % mile  up  and  55  feet  above 
the  right  fork  which  is  2 y2  miles  from  Carr. 


Summers. 

Shale  

Fire-clay  Coal. 

Right  Fork. 

...10  ft.  Sandstone 

..  5 ft. 

Coal  

...39" 

Coal  

..25" 

Flint  clay  

...  5" 

Black-jack  

...  3" 

Coal  

...  6" 

Flint  clay  

..  5" 

Altitude,  1195. 

Coal  

Altitude,  1220. 

..  7" 

On  the  right,  4 miles  up  Montgomery  branch,  Green 
Combs  has  a three-yard  wet  entry,  355  feet  above  the 
creek,  into  what  is  believed  to  be  the  Flag  coal  with  the 
following  section: 


Flag  (?)  Coal. 


Sandstone  10  ft. 

Coal  16" 

Shale  3" 

Coal  43" 


Altitude,  1695. 

The  bottom  foot  of  the  bed  was  not  seen  and  its 
measurement  may  not  be  quite  correct. 

The  correlation  of  the  bed  is  on  the  assumption 
that  the  rise  of  strata  continues  up  Montgomery  branch 
from  the  last  Fire-clay  coal  opening  to  this  point.  There 
appears  a further  slight  continuation  to  openings  of 
this  same  high  bed  on  the  heads  of  Bull  creek,  but  the 
barometer  was  too  inaccurate  for  certainty.  The  cor- 
relation is  strengthened  by  the  character  of  the  bed  and 
its  roof. 

The  ridge  northwest  of  Bull  creek  and  around  its 
head  (as  well  as  down  on  the  north  of  Big  branch  past 
the  head  of  George’s  branch)  is  broad  at  the  top  form- 
ing what  is  known  as  “Flatwoods.”  Between  the 
mouth  of  Bull  creek  and  the  river  northwest  of  it,  this 
unusual  topography  is  principally  due  to  the  excessive 
hardness  of  the  20  to  30  feet  of  well-known  cliff  rock 
underlying  the  Hazard  coal,  and  it  is  difficult  to  believe 
that  the  same  rock  is  not  the  prime  cause  at  the  head 


266 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


of  Montgomery  branch.  If  this  were  the  case,  and  to 
make,  the  stratification  and  topography  conformable  to 
that  at  the  river,  the  Flag. bed  should  be  100  feet  lower 
than  the  Green  Combs  coal,  which  would  make  the  lat- 
ter either  the  Hindman  bed  or  the  Francis  bed  50  feet 
below  it.  The  Hindman  bed  has  been  opened  in  the  river 
ridge  and.  presents  its  usual  characteristics -of extremely 
thick  coal  under  abominable  roof,  wholly  different  front 
the  Green  Combs  and  heads  of  Bull  creek  openings.  'In 
this  connection  is  noted  a very  hard  sandstone  at  the 
gap  between  Bull  creek  and  Defeated  branch  directly 
under  what  is  assumed  to  be  the  Hazard  coal  and  65 
feet  under  one  of  these  latter  Flag  coal  openings. 

On  the  right  of  the  left  fork  above  Green  Combs r, 
4%  miles  from  Carr,  Harrison  Banks  has  a nearly 
closed  entry  into  the  (probable)  Haddix  bed  giving 
about  34  inches  of  coal  under  8 feet  of  shale  at  altitude, 
1,585. 


STACEY  BRANCH. 

On  the  left,  5 y2  miles  up  Carr.  Altitude  of  mouth, 

935. 

In  a drain  on  the  left,  % mile  up,  two  covered  pros- 
pects in  coal  apparently  thick  enough  to  work,  are  prob- 
ably of  the  Fire-clay  coal;  their  altitude  1,095  and  1,100. 
They  seem  to  show  an  up-stream  dip  to  the  wet  entry 
on  t)ie  right,  some  20  feet  above  the  branch,  which  has 
the  following  section : 

yii. 

Fire-clay  Coal. 


44" 


Rough  sandstone 

Coal  

Flint  clay. 

Coal. 

Altitude,  1045. 


Neither  the  bottom  coal  nor  the  fire-clay,  which  is 
black  here,  was  accessible  for  measurement. 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


267 


YELLOW  CREEK. 

On  the  left,  5%  miles  up  Carr.  Altitude  of  mouth, 

940. 

A quarter  mile  up  the  creek  and  % mile  UP  a left 
drain,  Samuel  Combs  has  a twelve-yard  entry  with  tiie 
following  section: 

Fire-clay  Coal. 


Sandstone  15  ft. 

Coal  41" 

Flint  clay  4" 

Coal  9" 


Altitude,  1090. 

Again  the  tire-clay  is  black  and  the  roof  is  fine. 
The  sandstone  over  the  entry  shows  no  coal,  but  in  the 
drain  by  the  opening,  10  feet  above  it,  a 4-inch  seam 
splits  into  two  smaller  ones.  A slipped  stain,  probably 
of  the  rider,  shows  35  feet  above  the  opening. 

A covered  prospect,  one  mile  up  the  creek  and  % 
mile  up  a left  branch  and  at  its  level,  gives  the  height  of 
the  Fire-clay  coal,  1,085,  but,  a thunderstorm  occurring 
while  on  this  branch,  this  altitude  is  not  reliable.  The 
10  feet  under  the  bed  is  of  thin-bedded  sandstones  aud 
shales  with  lime  boulders,  as  exposed  along  the  branch, 
and  the  covering,  30  feet  of  sandstone. 

On  the  left,  1%  miles  up,  the  same  bed  shows  about 
38  inches  of  coal,  without  the  parting  near  the  top  found 
in  the  next  opening.  Twenty  feet  of  thin  sandstones 
and  shales  show  under  the  bed,  and  two  thin  coals  are 
said  to  lie  10  to  20  feet  above  it  . 

On  the  right  at  the  creek,  1%  miles  up,  Addison 
Combs  has  a ten-yard  entry  as  follows: 

Fire-clay  Coal. 


Sandstone  15  ft. 

Coal  3" 

Shale  1" 

Coal  32" 

Flint  clay  4" 

Coal  7" 

Fire  clay  1 ft. 


Shaly  sandstone. 
Altitude,  1055. 


268 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


The  flint  fire-clay  is  black. 

What  coal  there  is  of  the  rider  must  come  within 
20  to  30  feet  of  the  Fire-clay  coal,  for  about  15  feet  of 
sandstone  is  exposed  over  the  entry  and,  at  the  mouth 
of  a left  branch  1%  miles  up,  40  feet  of  shales  and  thin 
sandstones  rise  from  the  creek  at  altitude  1,075.  The 
rider  must  go  under  these. 

On  the  right  at  the  head  of  the  creek,  2 y2  miles  up, 
is  a.  20-foot  sandstone  cliff,  its  base  at  altitude  1,435,  on 
which  probably  lies  the  Hazard  bed;  the  altitude  of  the 
gap  to  Kelly  fork  of  Lot’s  creek  is  1,554. 

A quarter  mile  southeast  of  the  gap,  on  a good 
bench,  George  Francis  has  an  entry  into  a bed  midway 
between  the  Flag  and  Hindman  beds,  to  which  is  here 
given  the  name  of  “ Francis.”  Although  the  bed,  as 
given  below,  is  not  so  thick  as  found  elsewhere,  it  is  the 
only  known  place  where  its  opening  is  carried  under- 
ground : 

Francis  Coal. 


Sandstone  cliff  30  ft. 

Block  coal 14" 

Black  slate  4" 

Hard  block  coal 15" 

Altitude,  1570. 


RED  OAK  (OR  ROWDIE)  BRANCH. 

On  the  right,  61/?  miles  up  Carr.  Altitude  of  mouth, 

945. 

An  entry  into  the  Fire-clay  coal,  % mile  up  this 
branch,  taken  from  Bulletin  No.  11,  is  as  follows: 


Fire-clay  Coal. 


Sandstone  

..10  ft. 

Shale  

..  5 ft. 

Coal  

..37" 

Shale  and  flint  clay.. 

..  9" 

Coal  

..10" 

This  seems  now  to  be  abandoned,  although  of  good 
thickness. 

Coal  16  inches  thick  runs  with  and  in  the  branch 
for  nearly  a quarter  mile  to  a left  branch  one  mile  up. 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


269 


Fifteen  feet  above  this  coal  at  altitude  1,050  to  1.070  is 
5 inches  more  coal  with  10  inches  parting  under  10  feet 
of  shaly  sandstone.  These  are  of  the  Wliitesburg  bed. 

On  the  left  at  the  forks,  a quarter  mile  up  the  left 
branch,  one  mile  from  Carr,  Hiram  Brashear  has  a 
partly  coverd  prospect  10  feet  above  the  branch,  from 
which  the  following  was  obtained : 

Fire-clay  Coal. 


Sandstone  10  ft. 

Shale  5 ft. 

Coal  32" 

Bone  coal  4" 

Flint  clay  3" 

Coal  7" 

Black  slate  2" 

Bone  coal  3" 

Coal  6" 

Altitude,  1165. 


The  bone  in  the  lower  seam  may  be  marketed;  that 
in  the  upper  seam  must  be  excluded. 

NEGRO  BRANCH. 

On  the  left,  6%  miles  up  Carr.  Altitude  of  mouth, 

945. 

On  the  right,  % mile  up,  Noah  Adams  lias  a five- 
yard  entry  with  the  following  section : 

Fire-clay  Coal. 


Sandy  shale  3 ft. 

Coal  38" 

Flint  clay  6" 

Coal  4" 

Black  slate  2" 

Coal  5" 

Clay. 


Altitude,  1085. 

On  the  right,  % mile  up,  is  25  inches  of  coal  with 
one  inch  parting  4 inches  from  the  top,  under  10  feet 

of  shale. 

A 20-foot  cliff  at  the  head  of  the  branch,  l1/^  miles 


270 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


up,  altitude  1,390,  gives  the  approximate  location  of  the 
Hazard  coal  just  above  it.  To  the  right  of  this  cliff 
Simon  Stacey  has  an  eight-yard  entry  giving  the  fol- 
lowing: 


Flag  Coal. 


Sandstone  25  ft. 

Coal  12" 

Shale  6" 

Clay  1" 

Coal  ...17" 

Bony  coal  Is 

Coal  23" 


Altitude,  1470. 

SASSAFRAS  CREEK. 

On  the  left,  7%  miles  up  Carr.  Altitude  of  mouth, 

955, 

In  the  left  fork  at  its  mouth  is  a foot,  or  possibly 
more,  coal  under  a foot  of  shale,  at  altitude  1,020.  From 
this  coal  to  the  next,  given  at  the  bottom  of  the  follow- 
ing section,  is  mostly  sandstone.  This  section  was  ob- 
tained y2  mile  up  the  left  fork  in  front  of  Manton  Cor- 
nett’s house: 

Sandstone  8 ft. 

Shale  2 ft. 

Sandstone  1 ft. 

Shale  3 ft. 

Fire-clay  coal  bed  ....  4 ft. — Altitude,  1090. 

Fire-clay  2 ft. 

Sandstone  2 ft. 

Shale  28  ft. 

Black  slate  1" 

Coal  7" 

Black  slate  1" 

Coal  6" 

Fire-clay. 

Sandstone  in  creek. 

Altitude,  1055. 

The  following  sections  of  the  Fire-clay  coal  were 
obtained;  one  on  the  left  fork  100  yards  above  the  sec- 
tion just  given,  from  the  mouth  of  a wet  entry;  one  on 
the  left  of  the  right  fork,  y2  mile  up  it: 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


271 


Fire-clay  Coal. 


Left  Fork. 

Right 

Fork. 

Sandstone. 

Sandstone 

; 2 ft. 

Shale  

...  2 ft 

Coal  

.....  ..L....24" 

Coal  

...24"  ' 

Black-jack 

3" 

Flint  clay  

...  3"  r 

Flint  clay  

.... 4" 

Black  slate  

Coal  

Bone  coal  .'. 

Coal  : 

Altitude,  1090. 

...  3"'u?" 
...  6" 1 
" '3" (i‘ 

...  6" 

Coal  

Clay. 

Altitude,  1085. 

20" 

The  roof  of  the  Left  fork  entry  is  broken  down  for 
about  3 yards  in,  and  the  two  feet  of  shale  at  the  mouth 
there  gives  place  to  two  feet  of  good  shaly  sandstone — 
a change  frequently  noted  in  the  roof  of  this  bed,  but 
nowhere  else  so  abrupt.  A closed  adjacent  entry  shows. 
30  inches  of  top  coal. 

In  the  middle  of  the  bottom  coal  of  the  Eight  fork 
opening  is  a bone  coal  running  in  thickness  from  noth- 
ing to  4 inches.  A closed  entry  on  the  opposite  side  of 
the  creek  has  7 inches  of  coal  4 feet  above  the  main 
seam,  apparently  a split  from  it  and  the  cause  of  its  re- 
duced thickness. 


KELLY  BRANCH. 

On  the  left,  9 miles  up  Ca*rr.  Altitude  of  mouthr 

970. 

The  Whitesburg  bed,  with  black  slate  roof,  lies  in 
this  branch,  % mile  up  it,  at  altitude  1,060,  its  thickness 
not  ascertained.  Below  and  above  it  most  of  the  way 
to  the  Fire-clay  coal,  the  branch  flows  on  exposed,  thin 
bedded  sandstone. 

George  Kelly  has  a wet  entry  a mile  up  this  branch,, 
at  its  level,  with  section  as  given  with  the  Lee  Kelly  sec- 
tion following.  The  latter  is  from  a wet  entry  on  the  left 
of  a left  branch,  91/4  miles  up  Carr,  on  the  left,  % mile 
up  the  branch.  x r r 


272 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


Fire-clay  Coal. 


George  Kelly. 


Sandstone 30  ft. 

Covered 3 ft. 

Coal  7" 

Shaly  sandstone  5 ft. 

Shale  2 ft. 

Coal  24" 

Black-jack 4" 

Flint  clay  2" 

Coal  19" 

Shale  in  branch. 

Altitude,  1095. 


Lee  Kelly. 

Sandstone. 

Shale  10  £L 

Coal  2" 

Shale  4" 

Coal  28" 

Black-jack 2" 

Flint  clay  3" 

Coal  17" 

Altitude,  1120. 


The  bottom  coal  of  the  Lee  Kelly  section  is  of  some- 
what doubtful  measurement. 

IRISHMAN  CREEK. 

On  the  right,  10%  miles  up  Carr.  Altitude  of  mouth, 

980. 

Right  Fork. — One  half  mile  up  Irish  creek. 

On  the  right,  % mile  up  this  fork,  Spencer  Combs 
has  a wet  entry  where  the  following  section  was  taken: 

Fire-clay  Coal. 

Sandstone. 

Shale  8 ft. 

Coal  24" 

Black-jack  3 to  4" 

Flint  clay  4" 

Coal  11" 

Clay. 

Altitude,  1200. 

A little  coal  sticks  to  the  black-jack  and  even  merges 
into  it. 

At  % mile  up  a thin  coal  under  massive  sandstone 
shows  by  the  creek,  about  100  feet  below  the  Fire-clay 
coal,  its  altitude  being  1,085. 

On  the  right  of  a right  branch  one  mile  up  the  fork 
and  % mile  up  the  branch,  Monroe  and  William  Kelly 
have  a prospect  into  the  Fire-clay  coal,  at  altitude  1,180, 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


273 


in  which  the  lower  members  were  found  but  could  not  be 
measured.  Over  the  fire-clay  the  black-jack  is  4 inches 
thick,  with  28  inches  of  coal  above  it,  covered  by  3 feet 
of  shale. 

At  nearly  1V2  miles  up,  a coal  about  10  inches  thick 
goes  below  drainage  at  altitude  1,170,  as  noted  also 
at  various  other  points  10  to  20  feet  under  the  Fire-clay 
coal. 

On  the  right,  1 y2  miles  up,  a prospect  gives  the  fol- 
lowing : 

Fire-clay  Coal. 


Shale  2 ft. 

Coal  28" 

Black-jack 2" 

Flint  clay  4" 

Coal  16" 


Altitude,  1180. 

At  1%  miles  a coal  goes  below  drainage,  its  thick- 
ness probably  not  over  IV2  feet  including  a thin  black 
slate  parting;  its  altitude  1,245. 

On  the  left,  two  miles  up,  Jack  Combs  has  an  open- 
ing as  follows: 


Flag  Coal. 


Sandstone. 

Block  coal  9" 

Shale  2" 

Block  coal  42" 


Altitude,  1605. 


The  height  of  this  bed  above  the  Fire-clay  coal 
seems  to  be  greater  here  and  on  Negro  branch  than  at 
points  farther  west,  but  the  character  of  the  bed  leaves 
little  room  for  doubt  in  correlation.  Being  here  but 
about  50  feet  below  the  level  of  the  gap  at  the  head  of 
the  fork,  and  little  more  in  the  spur  where  opened,  its 
mining  area  is  very  small. 

Trace  Fork. — On  the  left  of  Irishman  creek,  % 
mile  up  it:  Altitude  of  mouth,  1,007. 


274  North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 

Sugar  Branch  is  on  the  left  of  Trace  fork,  mile 
up  it.  On  the  right,  % mile  up  the  branch,  Patrick  Back 
has  a ten-yard  entry  of  following  section : 

Fire-clay  Coal. 

Sandstone. 

Shale. 

Coal  24" 

Black-jack  4" 

Coal  1" 

Flint  clay  3" 

Coal  15" 

Altitude,  1120. 

The  inch  of  coal  in  the  parting  was  not  seen  in  out- 
crop. The  upper  six  inches  of  the  main  coal  seam  is  in- 
clined to  resemble  cannel  coal,  and  2-inch  blocks  of  such 
coal  were  found  in  the  dump  of  a covered  prospect  on 
the  left,  y8  mile  up  the  branch.  Though  clearly  shale 
over  the  mouth  of  the  entry,  the  roof  is  of  sandstone 
4 yards  in. 

The  forks  of  Trace  fork  are  % mile  up  it;  the  alti- 
tude there  1,059. 

On  the  right,  y8  mile  up  the  Left  fork,  from  a rock- 
house  and  prospect  above  it  the  following  was  obtained : 


Fire-clay  Coal. 

Sandstone  3 ft. 

Shale  6" 

Coal  23" 

Black-jack  3" 

Flint  clay  4" 

Coal  17" 

Altitude,  1105. 

Covered  10  ft. 

Shaly  sandstone  5 ft. 

Shale  10  ft. 

Sandstone  6" 

Black  slate  3 ft. 

Whitesburg  Coal. 

Bright  block  coal  6" 

Black  slate  %" 

Hard,  bright  block 

coal  25" 

Altitude,  1075. 

Covered  3 ft. 


Sandstone  in  stream. 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


275 


The  weathered  black  slate  in  the  cliff  forming  the 
roof  of  the  coal  in  the  rock-house  looks  exactly  like  a 
stained  yellow  sandstone,  and  would  have  been  mistaken 
as  such  but  for  the  expectation  of  finding  black  slate 
there. 

On  the  right,  % mile  up  the  left  fork  of  Trace  fork, 
Jasper  Watts  has  a twelve-yard  entry,  10  feet  above  the 
creek,  with  this  section: 

Fire-clay  Coal. 


Sandstone  5 ft. 

Coal  21" 

Black-jack 3" 

Flint  clay  4" 

Coal  10" 

Sandstone  3" 

Coal  7" 


The  lower  parting  is  a black,  bituminous,  clay  sand- 
stone, which,  in  an  entry  10  yards  below,  is  replaced  by 
2 inches  of  impure  coal.  The  upper  half  of  the  visible 
sandstone  covering  the  coal  is  smooth  and  massive;  the 
lower  half  of  irregular  formation  with  thin  coal  seams 
running  through  it  at  varying  angles. 

On  the  right  fork  of  Trace  fork,  on  the  right  14 
mile  up  it,  is  an  eight-yard  entry  into  the  Fire-clay  coal 
and  011  the  left,  % mile  up,  10  feet  above  stream,  is  an 
entry  of  Joseph  Fort’s,  partly  closed. 

Sections  of  these  two,  the  latter  measured  at  out- 
crop, follow: 


Fire-clay  Coal. 


One-fourth 

Mile  Up. 

One-half  Mile 

Up. 

Shaly  sandstone  .. 

15  ft. 

Sandy  shale  

2 ft. 

Coal  

20" 

Coal  

18" 

Black-jack  

2" 

Black-jack  

2" 

Flint  clay  

4" 

Flint  clay  

4" 

Coal  

10" 

Coal  

9" 

Black  slate  

1" 

Bone  coal  

1" 

Coal  

Altitude,  1080. 

6" 

Coal  

Altitude,  1100. 

6" 

276 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


At  % mile  up,  the  Fire-clay  coal  is  below  drainage. 
A 20-inch  coal  under  5 feet  of  shale  and  that  under  sand- 
stone is  exposed  on  the  right  at  altitude  1,165. 

On  the  left,  .%  mile  up,  Valentine  Mullins  has  a 
closed  entry  with  31/?  feet  of  coal  under  5 feet  of  sand- 
stone. Though,  at  altitude  1,465,  it  appears  to  be  at  the 
right  height  above  the  Fire-clay  coal  for  the  Hazard  bed, 
the  prevalence  of  Flag  coal  openings  of  like  thickness 
induces  correlation  with  the  Flag  bed. 

On  the  right,  1%  miles  up  the  right  fork,  Riley 
Mullins  has  a ten-yard  entry  into  the  Flag  bed  at  alti- 
tude 1,525,  in  which  is  40  inches  of  coal  with  an  inch  of 
shale  parting  6 inches  from  the  bottom.  On  it  is  5 feet 
of  massive  sandstone. 

At  1 % mles  up  this  fork  divides  again.  A quarter 
mile  up  the  left  fork,  on  the  left,  T.  S.  Evans  has  a 
twenty-yard  entry  into  42  inches  of  Flag  coal  under 
sandstone,  at  altitude  1,505.  An  inch  of  hard,  black  part- 
ing some  4 yards  in,  7 inches  from  the  bottom,  seems  not 
to  be  continuous,  although  corresponding  in  position 
with  the  parting  in  the  preceding  Riley  Mullins  entry. 

At  the  head  of  the  right  fork  and  two  miles  from  the 
mouth  of  Trace,  Mr.  Fields  has  a four-yard  wet  entry 
giving  the  following  at  its  mouth: 

Hindman  Coal. 


Shale  

10  ft. 

Coal  

67" 

Clay  

2" 

Coal  

7" 

Clay  

1" 

Coal  

Altitude,  1660. 

42" 

The  bed  here  lias  little  covering,  but  westward  the 
high  hills  toward  the  head  of  Lots  creek  offer  a favor- 
able field. 

The  following  six  sections  represent  openings  into 
the  Fire-clay  coal  on  main  Irishman  creek  and  short 
branches  between  Trace  fork  and  the  forks  at  the  school 
house,  2 y2  miles  up. 

On  the  right  of  a right  branch,  % mile  above  Trace 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


277 


fork  and  a like  distance  up  the  branch,  % mile  from 
Carr,  Murray  Combs  has  a five-yard  entry,  and  on  the 
left,  one  mile  up  the  creek,  Samuel  Cook  has  a ten-yard 
entry.  Their  sections  follow: 


Fire-clay  Coal. 


Murray  Combs. 


Sandstone. 

Shale  3 ft. 

Coal  24" 

Black-jack  } fi„ 

Flint  clay  f 

Coal  12" 

Black  slate  2" 

Coal  6" 


Altitude,  1175. 


Samuel  Cook. 


Shale. 

Coal  24" 

Black-jack  3" 

Flint  clay  3" 

Coal  17" 


Altitude,  1140. 


Water  in  the  Cook  entry  prevented  satisfactory  ex- 
amination of  the  bottom  coal,  but  it  is  apparently  all 
good. 

On  the  right  of  a right  branch,  l1/^  miles  up  the 
creek,  mile  up  the  branch,  25  feet  above  it,  Jack  Mad- 
den has  a five-yard  wet  entry,  and  on  the  right  of  the 
creek,  1%  miles  up  it,  Jack  Asher  has  a fifteen-yard  entry 
with  the  following  sections : 


Fire-clay 

Coal. 

Jack  Madden. 

Jack  Asher. 

Massive  sandstone  

.15  ft. 

Sandstone 

.20  ft. 

Cannel  slate  

..  2" 

Shale  

..  4 ft. 

Coal  

..20" 

Cannel  slate 

..  2" 

Black-jack  

..  3" 

Coal  

..19" 

Flint  clay 

..  5" 

Black-jack  ) 

Coal  

.13" 

Flint  clay  f " 

Bone  coal  

. 2" 

Coal  

..11" 

Coal  

..  4" 

Slate  

..  2" 

Clay. 

Coal  

..  4" 

Altitude,  1175. 

Altitude,  1135. 

Big  Branch  is  on  the  right  of  Irishman  creek,  1% 
miles  up.  On  its  left,  y2  mile  up  is  a six-yard  entry  with 
section  given  below. 

Mill  Branch  is  on  the  right,  2%  miles  up.  P.  John- 
son has  an  entry  on  the  left,  *4  mile  up  it. 


278 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


Fire-clay  Coal. 


Bicj  Branch 

Sandstone 10  ft. 

Cannel  slate 1" 

Coal  22" 

Black-jack  0 to  3" 

Flint  clay  4" 

Coal  12" 

Bone  coal  2" 

Coal  3" 

Altitude,  1180. 


MiH  Branch. 


Shaly  sandstone  10  ft. 

Coal  26" 

Black-jack 1 to  5" 

Coal  12" 

Bone  coal  ? 

Altitude,  1170. 


In  Big  branch  the  Whitesburg  bed  is  exposed  under 
black  slate,  its  thickness  not  known,  its  altitude  1,140. 

On  the  right,  100  yards  above  Mill  branch,  John 
Madden  has  the  Whitesburg  bed  opened  at  altitude  1,120 
with  34  inches  of  coal  under  3 feet  of  black  slate  and  10 
feet  of  shaly  sandstone.  The  upper  10  inches  of  coal 
has  a considerable  deposit  of  marcasite  on  its  face.  This 
is  the  only  place  in  the  field  covered  by  this  report  where 
sulphur  has  been  observed  to  any  marked  degree,  and 
there  are  very  few  places  where  it  is  visible  at  all,  either 
as  marcasite  or  pyrite.  Across  the  creek  from  this  open- 
ing the  same  coal  is  38  inches  thick. 


Left  Fork. — At  School  No.  12,  2%  miles  up:  Alti- 
tude of  mouth,  1 ,064. 

On  the  right  of  a left  branph  of  this  fork,  % mile 
up,  Charles  Madden  has  a four-yard  wet  entry  into 
the  Fire-clay  coal.  On  the  right,  y2  mile  up  the  fork,  the 
Fire-clay  coal  is  opened  and  all  strata  are  exposed  up 
to  and  beyond  the  rider.  Sections  from  these  two  places 
follow : 


X 


North 

Fork  of 

Kentucky  River 

279 

« ir-.x 

. •-  ti  a Ayr 

yy'fh  , yj-ro* V j 

Fire-clay 

Coal,  etc. 

Left  Branch. 

■ '■  ■ - 

On  Right. 

•1. 

Shale  

...  5 ft: 

Shaly  sandstone  

.'10  ft. 

Coal  .. 

...24" 

Shale  — 

..  5 ft. 

Black-jack 

...  3" 

Coal  

..28" 

Flint  clay  

...  4" 

Shale  and  coal  

.:io" 

Coal.  ^ * 

Coal* ... U 

..  4"  J 

Altitude,  1225. 

V 

Shale  . ... . 

..  6 ftr ' 

Coal  

..5"  ) 

Shale  ; 

..  2 ft.!  ' 

Coal  

..  5" 

Shaly  sandstone  

..  8 ft. 

Coal  

..26" 

Black-jack  

J '3"  ; ' 

Flint  clay  : ..Y... 

..  3"  ?'L 

Coal  ..: 

Hard  bottom. 

Altitude,  1200. 

.11" 

At  % mile  up  the  fork  the  Fire-clay  coal  goes  below 
drainage:  Altitude,  1,210. 

On  the  left,  one  mile  up,  Bud  Madden  has  a pros- 
pect which  gives  the  following: 

Flag  Coal. 


Sandstone  2 ft. 

Shale  8 ft. 

Block  coal  41" 

Shale  2" 

Coal  1" 

Clay. 


Altitude,  1530. 

On  the  left,  in  front  of  Samuel  Pigman’s  house,  1% 
miles  up,  10  feet  above  the  fork,  an  incomplete  prospect 
gives  20  inches  of  coal  under  5 feet  of  shale,  at  altitude 
1 ,310. 

On  the  right  of  the  road,  2 miles  up  the  fork,  4% 
miles  from  Carr,  Samuel  Pigmaii  has  a closed  entry  into 
the  Flag  coal,  probably  over  4 feet  thick,  at  altitude 
1,550.  A thick  sandstone  shows  10  feet  above  the  bed 
and  a 70-foot  sandstone  crowns  the  peak  above  it,  which 
reaches  an  altitude  of  1,900. 


280 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


Right  Fork. — At  2 y2  miles  from  Carr. 

Alum  Cave  Branch  is  on  the  right  of  this  fork,  *4 
mile  up  it,  and  the  altitude  at  its  mouth  is  1,160. 

On  the  left,  y2  mile  up  the  branch  is  a two-yard 
entry  into  25  inches  of  coal  with  3 inches  of  black  slate 
covering  it,  on  which  is  5 feet  of  massive  sandstone.  The 
(exact)  altitude  of  the  bed  is  1,205.  It  lies  so  near  the 
level  of  the  Fire-clay  coal  that  the  flint  clay  parting  is 
to  be  expected  in  its  floor. 

On  the  right  of  the  head  of  the  branch,  1 14  miles 
up,  John  Madden  has  a ten-yard  entry  into  the  Flag  bed 
at  altitude  1,615.  This  gives  50  inches  of  clean  coal 
with  1 y2  feet  of  shale  between  it  and  the  sandstone 
•above.  The  broad  bench  of  the  Francis  coal,  60  feet 
above  the  Flag  bed,  is  prominent  here. 

On  the  right  of  the  fork  at  the  mouth  of  Alum  Cave 
branch,  25  feet  above  it,  at  altitude  1,185  is  a thin  coal 
with  fire-clay  floor  on  15  feet  of  shalv  sandstone,  and 
covering  of  15  feet  of  shale  under  sandstone.  This  ap- 
pears to  be  of  the  Whitesburg  bed,  but  without  the  black 
slate  roof  the  correlation  is  doubtful. 

On  the  right  of  the  fork,  % mile  up  it,  3%  miles 
from  Carr,  Mrs.  Madden  has  two  entries  with  section  as 
follows : 

Fire-clay  Coal. 

Sandstone  5 ft. 

Shale  1 ft. 

Coal  .28" 

Parting  7" 

Hard  block  coal  6" 

Block  coal  5" 

Fire-clay  1 ft. 

Shaly  sandstone  to 

creek  2 ft. 

Altitude,  1200. 

The  parting  is  of  uniform  thickness  but  variable  in 
contents,  the  fire-clay  being  from  1 inch  to  4 inches  thick 
and  the  flint  fire-clay  from  6 inches  to  3 inches.  Bone 
coal  was  found  2 inches  thick  in  the  28  inches  of  coal,  5 
inches  from  the  bottom,  but  it  is  not  constant. 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River  281 

To  the  list  of  Flag  coal  openings  on  this  creek  must 
be  added  the  Mullins  60  inches  coal  at  the  head  of  this 
fork  and  at  altitude  1,590. 

The  Spencer  Combs  fifteen-yard  wet  entry  on  the 
left,  % mile  above  Irishman  creek,  at  altitude  1,140 
has  the  following  section : 


Fire-clay  Coal. 


Sandstone  5 ft. 

Coal  26" 

Flint  clay  5" 

Coal  8" 

Clay  1" 

Coal  8" 


Altitude,  1140. 


LITTLE  BRANCH. 

On  the  right  of  Carr  fork  and  ll1/^  miles  up  it.  A1 
titude  of  mouth,  985. 

The  only  opening  on  this  branch  is  the  twelve-yard 
entry  at  altitude  1,190,  now  belonging  to  the  Goodloe 
Brothers,  given  in  Bulletin  No.  11,  page  103.  A later 
measurement  gives  this  as  follows : 


Fire-clay  Coal. 


Shale. 

Coal  84" 

Black-jack  4" 

Flint  clay  5" 

Coal  18" 


Altitude,  1195. 


One  or  two  inches  of  coal  sticks  to  the  black-jack  in 
mining. 


SMITH  BRANCH. 

On  the  right,  11%  miles  up  Carr.  Altitude  of 
mouth,  985. 

On  the  left  of  the  first  left  fork,  % mile  up  it  and 
IV2  miles  from  Carr,  Riley  (or  Hillard)  Smith  has  two 
long  entries  in  a rock-house,  previously  reported  but 
with  new  measurements  given  here.  On  the  right,  % 


282 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


mile  up  the  second  left  fork  and  1%  miles  from  Carr, 
Riley  Combs  lias  a seven-yard  entry  with  section  as  fol- 
lows also : 


Fire-clay  Coal. 


Smith  Entry. 


Sandstone 25  ft. 

Shale  1 ft. 

Coal  33" 

Black-jack  4" 

Flint  clay  3" 

Coal  17" 


Altitude,  1215. 


Combs  Entry. 


Sandstone 10  ft. 

Coal  34" 

Black-jack  4" 

Flint  clay  4" 

Coal  7" 

Bone  coal  1" 

Coal  2" 

Bone  coal  1" 

Coal  .. 7" 


Altitude,  1210. 


No  bone  coal  was  detected  in  the  Smith  entry,  but 
coal  sticks  to  the  black-jack  as  on  Little  branch,  the  one 
merging  into  the  other  by  almost  imperceptible  changes. 
The  shale  changes  to  sandstone  under  cover. 

On  the  left  of  Carr  fork,  12  miles  up  it,  Shade 
Smith  has  a prospect  on  the  right  of  the  easterly  small 
branch  by  his  house  giving  the  following  section : 

Fire-clay  Coal. 

Sandstone. 


Shale  5 ft. 

Coal  28" 

Black-jack  4" 

Flint  clay  4" 

Coal  10" 

Bone  coal  4" 

Coal  5" 

Fire-clay  2 ft. 

Sandstone  ..10  ft. 


Altitude,  1190. 

This  opening  is  200  feet  above  Carr  and  at  or  near 
this  point  a coal  bed  rises  to  creek  level  and  continues 
with  it  for  lVo  miles  or  more  up  stream,  and  is  the 
source  from  which  the  greater  part  of  the  coal  suoply 
of  the  vicinity  is  drawn.  It  is  reported  generally  about 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


283 


4 feet  thick,  46  to  50  inches  in  one  instance,  and  this  is 
believed  to  be  nearly  correct.  It  is  said  to  be  without 
parting,  but,  in  view  of  the  partings  found  in  the  bed 
where  it  rises  above  the  creek,  this  seems  somewhat 
doubtful.  Partings  under  water  may  escape  discovery. 
Over  this  bed  is  about  50  feet  of  shale. 

In  previous  reports  this  bed  lias  been  called  the 
Elkliorn  bed  and  came  to  be  regarded  as  the  equivalent 
of  the  Elkhorn  coal  now  mined  at  McRoberts  and  Jen- 
kins. This  bed  is  really  about  200  feet  below  the  Elk- 
horn  coal  and  to  it  is  now  given  the  entirely  new  name 
of  “Amburgy”  coal  bed.  Where  in  Bulletin  No.  11, 
the  Elkhorn  coal  is  referred  to  200  feet  below  the  Fire- 
clay coal,  this  name  Amburgy  should  be  substituted, 
but  this  does  not  include  the  thick  coal  on  Boone  fork 
and  elsewhere  about  the  head  of  the  river,  which,  like 
the  Rockliouse  coal,  is  400  feet  below  the  Fire-clay  coal 
and  is  the  true  Elkhorn  bed. 


DEFEATED  BRANCH. 

On  the  right,  12%  miles  up  Carr.  Altitude  of 
mouth,  1,000. 

On  the  left,  % mile  up  a right  branch,  % mil|>  up 
Defeated  branch,  C.  C.  Hilton  has  a twenty-yard  entry 
into  the  Fire-clay  coal.  Wet  at  the  face,  the  measure- 
ment following  was  taken  about  half  way  in.  On  the 
left  of  a left  drain,  1%  miles  up  Mr.  Hilton  has  another 
entry,  barelv  under  cover,  into  the  same  bed.  Its  sec- 
tion also  follows : 


Fire-clay  Coal. 


C.  C.  Hilton  No.  1. 


Sandstone  3 ft. 

Coal  20" 

Black-jack  3" 

Flint  clay  4" 

Coal  13" 

Bone 3" 

Coal  4" 


Altitude,  1215. 


C.  C.  Hilton  No.  2. 


Massive  sandstone. 
Coal  

37' 

Black-jack 

...3  to  4' 

Flint  clay  

..A  to  3' 

Coal  

10' 

Bone  coal  

3' 

Altitude,  1310. 

284 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


Two  miles  up  the  creek  to  the  forks  and  up  the 
right  fork  % mile  to  a right  branch  and  on  the  right, 
x/4  mile  up  this  and  20  feet  above  it,  C.  C.  Hilton’s  four- 
yard  wet  entry  into  the  Fire-clay  coal  has  the  section 
following.  A half  mile  up  the  left  fork  two  miles  up 
Defeated,  y8  mile  up  the  left  branch  there,  on  the  right 
of  the  trail  to  Breeding  creek,  Alamanda  Blair  has  a 
twenty-yard  entry  into  the  same  bed  with  section  also 
following : 


Fire-clay 

Coal. 

H ilton. 

Blair. 

Massive  sandstone. 

Sandstone. 

Shale  

3 ft. 

Coal  

37" 

Coal  

4" 

Black-jack  

3" 

Shale  

7" 

Flint  clay  

5" 

Coal  

40" 

Coal  

18" 

Black-jack  

3" 

Altitude,  1360. 

Flint  clay  

4" 

Coal  

6" 

Bone  coal  

2" 

Coal  

4" 

Altitude,  1300. 

The  bottom 

coal  of  the 

Blair  entry  may 

contain 

bone  coal ; it  was  not  in  condition  for  close  inspection. 

BREEDING  CREEK  (FORMERLY  LITTLE  CARR). 

On  the  right,  12%  miles  up  Carr.  Altitude  of  mouth, 

1,000. 

On  the  right  of  a left  branch,  % mile  up  Breeding 
creek,  % mile  up  the  branch,  James  Bass  has  a wet 
entry  into  the  Fire-clay  coal  with  the  following  section : 


Fire-clay  Coal. 


Shale  

5 ft. 

Coal  

32" 

Black-jack  

2" 

Flint  clay  

4" 

Coal  

10" 

Parting  

1" 

Coal  

3" 

Altitude,  1225. 

North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


285 


On  the  left,  1%  miles  np  is  the  following  exposure: 


Shale  10  ft. 

Block  coal  4" 

Splint  coal  5" 

Black  slate  4 " 

Shale  to  creek  6 ft. 


Altitude,  1045. 

Doubtless  this  includes  a rider  to  the  Amburgy 
coal  bed,  which  then  is  probably  not  more  than  10  feet 
below  water  level. 

Sugar  Branch. — On  the  right,  1%  miles  up  Breed- 
ing creek.  Altitude  of  mouth,  1,090. 

On  the  left  of  a right  drain,  % mile  up  the  branch, 
is  John  Buck’s  five-yard  entry  into  the  Fire-clay  coal, 
given  in  Bulletin  No.  11.  Following  is  a corrected  sec- 
tion : 


Fire-clay  Coal. 

Shaly  sandstone. 


Coal  32" 

Flint  clay  5" 

Coal  12" 


Altitude,  1295 

On  the  left  at  the  branch,  % mile  up  it,  Jesse  Am- 
burgy has  a two-yard  entry  into  the  same  bed  at  alti- 
tude 1,305,  with  like  section  but  with  2 inches  of  black- 
jack  on  the  flint  clay  and  34  inches  of  coal  above  that. 

Mallet  Fork. — On  the  right,  1%  miles  up  Breed- 
ing creek.  Altitude  of  mouth,  1,100. 

On  the  right,  % mile  up  the  fork,  at  water  level,  the 
rider  to  the  Amburgy  coal  shows  8 inches  thick  under 
20  feet  of  shale  at  altiude  1,120.  On  the  kill  opposite 
this,  John  Hale  has  a twenty-five-yard  entry  into  the 
Fire-clay  coal.  On  the  right  of  a left  branch  of  Mallet 
fork,  % mile  up  it  and  the  same  distance  up  the  branch, 
William  Hale  has  an  opening  into  the  same  bed.  Sec- 
tions of  these  two  openings  follow: 


286 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


John  Hale. 

Fire-clay 

Coal. 

William  Hale. 

Sandstone 

...20 

ft. 

Sandstone 

Coal  

...27' 

Coal  

Bony  coal  

...  4' 

Bone  coal  

Flint  clay  

...  4' 

Flint  clay  

Coal  

Altitude,  1315. 

...12' 

Coal  

Altitude,  1350. 

On  the  left  of  a left  branch,  y2  mile  np  Mallet  fork, 
Vs  mile  up  the  branch,  Noah  Gent  has  a twenty -yard 
entry.  On  the  left  at  the  head  of  Mallet  fork,  one  mile  up 
it,  Daniel  Adams  has  a twenty-yard  entry  at  altitude 
1,305,  which  if  nearly  correct,  as  it  probably  is,  gives  a 
reverse  dip  at  the  head  of  this  fork.  Sections  from  these 
two  Fire-clay  coal  entries  follow,  the  Gent  section  varying 
somewhat  from  that  previously  reported : 


Gent. 

Fire-clay 

Coal. 

Adams. 

Sandstone 

...  8 

ft. 

Sandstone  

Coal  

30' 

Coal  

Bony  coal  

V 

Black-jack  

Flint  clay  

......  4' 

Flint  clay  

Coal  

Altitude,  1340. 

12' 

Coal  

Altitude,  1305. 

Left  Fork. — Two  and  one-quarter  miles  up  Breed- 
ing. Altitude  of  mouth,  1,150. 

On  the  left  branch,  % mile  up  this  fork,  on  the  left, 
% mile  up  it,  Harlan  Williams  has  a four-yard  entry,  and 
on  the  right  of  a drain  on  the  left,  % mile  up  the  fork, 
Fraser  Adams  has  one  of  12  yards.  Both  are  in  the  Fire- 
clay coal  and  they  gave  the  following  sections : 


Fire-clay  Coal. 

Waiiams.  Adams. 


Sandstone 

4 ft. 

Shaly  sandstone  

10  ft. 

Coal  

29" 

Shale  

2 ft. 

Black-jack  

2" 

Cannel  slate 

2" 

Flint  clay  

4" 

Clay  

1" 

Coal  

9" 

Coal  

25" 

Altitude,  1380. 

Black-jack  

1" 

Flint  clay  

5" 

Coal  

10" 

Altitude,  1400. 

North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


287 


In  a left  drain  one  mile  up,  an  old  opening  gives 
tlie  bed’s  altitude  at  1,415  and  at  iy8  miles  up,  where 
it  goes  below  drainage,  it  is  1,425.  This  rapid  rise  of 
strata  is  made  evident  also  in  their  exposure  along  the 
stream. 

On  the  left  of  a left  branch,  2%  miles  up  the  creek, 
% mile  up  the  branch,  George  Breeding  has  a twelve- 
yard  entry,  and  on  a right  branch,  2%  miles  up  Breeding 
creek,  on  the  right,  % and  % miles  up  the  branch,  William 
Breeding  has  three-yard  and  ten-yard  entries.  These 
three  Fire-clay  coal  entries  give  the  following,  respect- 
ively : 


Fire-clay  Coal. 


Sandstone  

....10  ft. 

5 ft 

7 ft. 

Shale 

....  4 ft. 

none  

none 

Coal 

....27" 

25"  

28" 

Flint  clay  

....  5" 

6"  

6" 

Coal 

....  7" 

11"  

12" 

Altitude,  1350. 

1390 

1400 

The  flint  fire- 

•clay  of  the  first  of  these 

is  black,  of 

the  second  i 

both  bi 

’own  and  black  and  of  the  third  brown 

only. 

On  a left  branch  3 miles  up  Breeding  creek,  on  the 
right,  % mile  up  it,  beside  the  road  to  Wolf-Pen  branch, 
William  Johnson  has  a long  entry,  and  on  the  right,  3V2 
miles  up,  beside  the  road  to  Bockhouse  creek,  y8  mile 
from  the  gap,  James  Breeding  has  one  also.  Sections  of 
these  two  Fire-clay  coal  openings  follow: 


Fire-clay  Coal. 

Johnson.  Breeding. 


Thin-bedded  sand- 
stone   

5 ft. 

Sandstone 

Shale  

5 ft. 

6 ft. 

Black  slate  

4" 

Cannel  coal  

1" 

Clay  

11" 

Coal  

25" 

Coal  

27" 

Flint  clay  

6" 

Flint  clay  

6" 

Coal  

12" 

Coal  

Altitude,  1390. 

12" 

Altitude,  1395. 

288 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


The  latter  entry  is  but  85  feet  below  the  gap  to 
Rockhouse  creek,  but  the  hills  are  high  enough  to  give 
the  bed  large  area. 

In  a left  branch,  13 % miles  up  Carr  fork,  ys  mile 
up'  the  branch,  Samuel  Francis  has  a pit  from  which 
apparently  30  inches  of  good  block  coal  is  taken,  but 
the  lower  half  being  hidden  in  water,  was  not  seen  in 
place.  With  an  altitude  of  1,115,  it  is  probably  of  the 
Wliitesburg  bed,  though,  being  about  70  feet  under  the 
Fire-clay  coal,  the  interval  is  large  for  that  correlation. 
The  rock  covering  was  not  seen  and  cannel  coal  and 
slate  may  cover  the  bed  as  they  do  on  Little  Carr  not 
far  distant. 

The  Fire-clay  coal  is  opened  on  the  same  branch, 
on  the  right,  % mile  up  It,  where  a six-yard  entry  gives 
the  following: 

Fire-clay  Coal. 


Sandstone  8 ft. 

Shale  1 ft. 

Coal  30" 

Black-jack  3" 

Flint  clay  4" 

Coal  10" 

Shale  5" 

Coal  4" 


Altitude,  1190. 

On  the  right,  14  miles  up  Carr,  Henry  Blair  has  a 
two-yard  entry,  3 feet  above  the  creek,  into  the  Am- 
burgy  coal,  which  here  makes  its  first  appearance  above 
water  level.  The  following  section  was  obtained  here: 

Amburgy  Coal. 


Shale  3 ft. 

Coal  3" 

Shale  10  ft. 

Coal  2" 

Shale  6" 

Coal  1" 

Shale  3" 

Coal  38" 

Black  slate  2" 

Fire-clay  2 ft. 


Sandstone  in  creek. 
Altitude,  1010. 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River  289 

Tlie  bed  is  at  creek  level  100  yards  farther  up.  At 
14%  miles  up,  a prospect  into  this  bed  gives  37  inches 
of  coal  with  an  inch  of  black  slate  3 inches  from  the 
top.  At  the  mill,  14%  miles  up>,  30  to  40  feet  of  shale 
are  exposed  over  the  coal  with  massive  sandstone  above 
the  shale.  On  the  left  of  the  creek  and  road,  15%  miles 
up  Carr,  the  bed  gives  the  following  section : 


Amburgy  Coal. 


Shale  

Coal  

Shale  

Coal  

Slate  

Coal  

Shale  

Coal  

Altitude.  1030. 


5 ft. 

1" 

.10" 

. 3" 

. 2" 
.34" 

. 1" 

, 3" 


On  the  right,  15%  miles  up  Carr  (below  Little 
Carr)  this  bed  has  in  its  main  seam  only  27  inches  of 
coal  under  3 feet  of  shale  and  then  5 feet  of  sandstone. 
This  massive  sandstone  can  be  seen  for  a mile  down  the 
creek,  about  10  feet  above  the  coal,  but  farther  down  its 
place  is  occupied  by  shale.  Beside  this  entry  a rider 
appears  to  start  from  the  coal.  It  is  a continuous  fea- 
ture farther  up  the  creek. 

A quarter  mile  to  the  left,  15%  miles  up  Carr  fork 
opposite  the  mouth  of  Little  Carr,  Andrew  Combs  has 
an  abandoned  prospect  into  cannel  coal  at  altitude,  1,155, 
from  which  blocks  a foot  thick  were  taken.  The  place 
was  abandoned  because  unsuitable  for  opening  rather 
than  because  of  thin  coal.  An  entry  into  the  bed  has 
been  made  a half  mile  up  Little  Carr. 

LITTLE  CARR  (FORMERLY  AMBURGY  BRANCH). 

On  the  right,  15%  miles  up  Carr  fork.  Altitude  of 
mouth,  1,020. 

On  the  right,  % mile  up,  H.  H.  Amburgy  has  a 
twelve-yard  wet  entry,  15  feet  above  the  creek,  from 
which  the  following  was  obtained : 


K.  R.— 10. 


290 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


Amburgy  Coal. 


Shale  10  ft. 

Coal  15" 

Shale  1 ft. 

Black  slate  1" 

Coal  2" 

Shale  2" 

Coal  36" 


Altitude,  1045. 

On  the  right  of  a left  branch,  y2  mile  up  Little 
Carr,  y8  mile  up  the  branch,  Floyd  Taylor  1ms  a ten- 
yard  entry  into  the  Wliitesburg  bed  about  50  feet  under 
the  Fire-clay  coal.  Its  section  is : 

Whitesburg  Coal. 


Shale  10  ft. 

Cannel  slate  12" 

Cannel  coal 6" 

Block  coal  6" 

Slate  and  pyrite  1" 

Block  coal  37" 

Altitude,  1200. 


The  block  coal  is  partielarly  bright  and  rich-look- 
ing; the  6 inches  of  cannel  looks  very  good  but  its  weight 
betrays  a large  amount  of  ash.  There  is  no  definite 
plane  of  change  from  the  cannel  to  the  coal  below  or  to 
the  slate  above  it,  one  merging  into  the  other. 

On  the  right,  iy±  miles  up  Little  Carr,  a long  ex- 
posure of  cliff  with  entries  5 feet  above  the  creek,  gives : 

Amburgy  Coal. 


Shale  15  ft. 

Coal  ....12" 

Shale  with  calcareous 
concretions  ..2*4  to  4 ft. 

Coal  2" 

Shale  8" 

Coal  30" 

Shale  1" 

Coal  4" 

Shale  and  coal  5 ft. 


Thin-bedded  sandstone 
in  creek. 

Altitude,  1070. 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


291 


Wolf-Pen  Branch. — On  tlie  right,  14/2  miles  up 
Little  Carr.  Altitude  of  mouth,  1,075. 

On  the  right,  % mile  up  the  branch  and  3 feet  above 
it  is  the  following  in  outcrop : 

Amburgy  Coal. 

Shaly  sandstone  5 ft. 


Coal  1" 

Shale  1" 

Coal  2" 

Shale  12" 

Coal  28" 

Bony  coal  2" 

Shale  1" 

Coal  9" 


Altitude,  1090. 

Coal  in  the  branch,  % mile  up,  altitude  1,120,  is 
probably  of  the  rider,  not  seen  in  the  preceding  section. 

On  the  right,  % mile  up  Leek  branch,  which  is  on 
the  right,  1%  miles  up  Wolf-Pen,  B.  F.  Hammond  has 
an  opening  into  the  Fire-clay  coal.  On  the  right  of  Wolf- 
Pen,  1 y2  miles  up,  Joseph  Raleigh  has  a ten-yard  entry, 
into  the  same  bed,  140  feet  above  the  creek.  The  sec- 
tions at  these  two  places  are : 


Fire-clay 

Coal. 

Hammond. 

Raleigh. 

Sandstone 

....  5 ft. 

Shale  

....  6 ft. 

Coal  — 

26" 

Coal  

....29" 

Flint  clay  

4 

to  6" 

Flint  clay  

....  6" 

Coal  

....12" 

Coal  

....12" 

Altitude,  1380. 

Altitude,  1400. 

On  the  right,  1 % miles  up  Wolf-Pen,  Tandy  Am- 
burgy has  a twenty-five-yard  entry  with  the  following 
section,  measured  at  the  face: 

Fire-clay  Coal. 


Shale  8 ft. 

Coal  32" 

Black-jack  6" 

Cannel  coal  24" 


Altitude,  1395. 


292 

LJ  LJ 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


The  impression  prevails  that  this  is  the  same  bed 
that  is  opened  into  cannel  coal  near  the  mouth  of  Little 
Carr  (the  Whitesburg  bed),  and  its  altitude,  as  obtained, 
is  indicative  of  that  bed,  but  the  cannel  in  this  entry  is 
at  the  bottom  of  the  bed,  whereas  in  the  other  it  is  at 
the  top,  and  the  usual  black  slate  covering  of  the  Whites- 
burg bed  is  wanting.  Moreover  the  parting,  though  not 
the  almost  invariable  accompaniment  of  the  Fire-clay 
coal,  the  brown  flint  fire-clay,  is  just  such  a compound  of 
fire-clay  and  black  slate  as  is  found  at  nearly  every 
opening  of  the  Fire-clay  coal  bed  on  Carr  fork  waters, 
and  never  but  once  anywhere,  by  the  writer,  in  the 
Whitesburg  bed.  The  conclusion  then  is  that  this  is  of 
the  Fire-clay  coal  and  that  either  the  barometric  alti- 
tude is  incorrect,  or  a reversal  of  the  up-stream  rise  of 
strata  occurs  on  the  head  of  Wolf-Pen.  No  reversal  has 
been  found  elsewhere  on  Little  Carr. 

The  cannel  of  this  opening  is  fine-looking  and  light 
in  weight.  Samples  of  both  the  bituminous  coal  and  can- 
nel, taken  by  Professor  Crandall  for  the  Survey,  gave 
the  following  results : 


Fire-clay  Cc-al. 


Bituminous. 

Cannel. 

Moisture  

- 5.46 

0.26 

Volatile  combustible  matter  

31.68 

47.94 

Fixed  carbon  

57.46 

44.86 

Ash  ■ 

5.40 

6.94 

Sulphur  

0.488 

0.751 

Specific  gravity  

1.385 

The  cannel  is  said  to  be  explosive  in  burning. 

Across  the  divide  at  the  head  of  Wolf-Pen,  on  the 
head  of  Stamper  branch  of  Rockhouse  creek,  about  a 
mile  east  of  the  preceding,  Cordelia  Hammond  has  a. 
closed  entry  in  which  is  over  5 feet  of  block  and  splint 
coal  (probably  including  2 inches  of  slate  found  in  the 
dump) ; its  altitude  1,940. 

This  is  probably  of  the  Hindman  bed,  quite  possibly 
the  77  inches  coal  with  4 inches  parting  given  in  Bul- 
letin No.  11,  page  108,  as  no  other  such  opening  was 
found  in  the  vicinity.  It  indicates  nearly  level  strata 
from  the  cannel  opening  on  Wolf-Pen.  Being  100  feet 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


293 


above  the  Wolf-Pen  gap,  with  little  area,  its  value  lies 
only  in  local  use. 

On  the  right,  two  miles  up  Little  Carr  is  a twelve- 
yard  entry,  3 feet  above  the  creek,  where  the  following 
section  was  obtained,  the  lower  seams  measured  half 
way  in: 


Amburgy  Coal. 


Sandstone  

5 

ft. 

Shale  

20 

ft. 

Coal  

5' 

Shale  

12 

ft. 

Coal  

3' 

Shale  

20' 

Coal  

3' 

Shale  

1' 

Coal  

Altitude,  1115. 

30' 

Little  Double  Branch. — On  the  right,  2%  miles  . 
up  Little  Carr.  Altitude  of  mouth,  1,125. 

The  three  sections  following  give,  respectively,  the 
onlv  openings  now  on  this  branch.  The  first  is  on  the 
right  of  a left  drain,  % mile  up  the  branch,  Jesse  Pig- 
man’s  eight-yard  wet  entry;  the  second  is  on  the  right, 
% mile  ud,  Jack  Hammond’s  wet  entry;  and  the  third  is 
on  the  left,  % mile  up,  William  Ward’s  entry: 


Pigman. 

Fire-clay  Coal. 
Hammond. 

Ward. 

Sandstone  

10  ft. 

5 ft. 

Shale  

. 3 ft. 

0 

10  ft. 

Coal  

CO 

o 

32" 

32" 

Black-jack  

. 3" 

9" 

6" 

Flint  clay 

. 4" 

4" 

0 

Bone  coal  

. 0 

0 

3" 

Coal  

11" 

13" 

9" 

Altitude,  1380 

1390 

1400 

It  is  to  be  noted  that  in  the  third  section,  nearest 
to  the  cannel  coal  on  Wolf-Pen,  the  flint  fire-clay  is  ab- 
sent, as  in  the  cannel  opening. 


294 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


Big  Double  Branch. — On  the  right,  2%  miles  up 
Little  Carr.  Altitude  of  mouth,  1,130. 

On  the  left  at  the  mouth  of  the  branch  a prospect 
gives  the  following: 


Amburgy  Coal. 


Shale. 

Coal. 

Shale  3 ft. 

Block  coal  26" 

Slate  2" 

Coal  2" 


Altitude,  1150. 


The  three  sections  given  next  are,  respectively,  first, 
from  % mile  up  a left  branch,  % mile  up  Big  Double 
branch,  Andrew  Case’s  seven-yard  entry;  second,  from 
the  left  of  a left  drain,  y8  mile  up  it,  % mile  up  Big 
Double,  Jefferson  Amburgy ’s  six-yard  entry;  third, 
from  on  the  right,  across  the  hollow  from  the  second,  80 
yards  southeast  of  it,  W.  F.  Amburgy ’s  twenty-five-yard 
entry. 


Fire-clay  Coal. 


Case. 

J.  Amburgy. 

W.  F.  Amburgy. 

Sandstone 

1 ft. 

1 ft. 

Shale  

. 8 ft. 

0 

2 ft. 

Coal  

.34" 

32" 

37" 

Flint  clay  

. 6" 

6" 

5" 

Coal  

.12" 

9" 

8" 

Altitude,  1385 

1350 

1370 

Jenny  Lewis  branch  is  on  the  left,  % mile  uu  Big 
Double.  On  the  right  of  the  branch  % mile  up  it,  Jasper 
Amburgy  has  a twenty-five-yard  entry,  its  section  fol- 
lowing. 

On  the  left  of  the  right  fork  of  Big  Double  at  its 
head,  IV2  miles  from  its  mouth,  Lindsey  Amburgy  has 
a fifteen-yard  entry  with  the  section  following: 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


295 


Fire-clay 

Coal. 

Jasper 

Amburgy. 

Lindsey 

Amburgy. 

Shale  

10  It. 

Shaly  sandstone 

6 ft. 

Coal  

34" 

Coal  

34" 

Flint  clay  

2" 

Bony  coal  

2" 

Coal  

5" 

Flint  clay  

6" 

Altitude,  1375. 

Coal  

Altitude,  1410. 

6" 

On  the  right  of  Little  Carr,  2%  miles  up  it,  y8  mile 
above  Big  Double,  the  Amburgy  bed  shows,  at  altitude 
1,145,  10  feet  above  the  creek,  30  inches  of  coal  with  a 
knife-edge  of  shale  3 inches  from  the  top. 

Stillhouse  Branch. — On  the  left,  2%  miles  up  Lit- 
tle Carr.  Altitude  of  mouth,  1,145. 

The  Whitesburg  coal  shows  its  covering  in  a thick 
bed  of  black  slate  up  this  branch,  the  coal  under  it,  re- 
ported two  feet  thick,  one-half  mile  up,  being  at  altitude 
1,285. 

Above  the  preceding,  George  Gibson  has  an  eight- 
yard  wet  entry,  the  main  coal  seam  reported  about  28 
inches  thick  with  parting  and  lower  coal  each  about  4 
inches.  Two  feet  of  shale  and  then  5 feet  of  sandstone 
overlie  it.  This  is  of  the  Fire-clay  coal  bed,  at  altitude 
1,385. 

The  top  seam  of  the  Amburgy  coal  goes  under  the 
creek  at  the  mill,  3 miles  up  Little  Carr,  at  altitude,  1,185. 

Left  Fork. — On  the  left,  3%  miles  up  Little  Carr. 

There  are  two  entries  into  the  Whitesburg  bed, 
each  % mile  up  this  fork  and  at  altitude  1,355,  one  on 
the  left,  the  J.  W.  Collins  eight-yard  entry,  having  38 
inches  of  coal  under  10  inches  of  black  slate,  the  other 
on  the  right,  the  Nancy  Gent  five-yard  wet  entry,  hav- 
ing 34  inches  of  coal  under  3 feet  of  black  slate. 

The  Fire-clay  coal  is  opened  on  the  right,  % mile 
up  the  fork,  in  Tandy  Martin’s  five-yard  wet  entry,  at 
altitude  1,430.  More  than  2%  feet  of  coal  was  visible, 
under  3 inches  of  black  slate  and  20  feet  of  shale,  in  the 
middle  of  which  is  IV2  feet  of  sandstone.  This  thin 
sandstone  shows  in  shale  or  earth  over  the  Fire-clay  coal 
at  several  places  in  this  vicinity. 


296 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


Right  (Main  Road)  Fork. — On  the  right,  3%  miles 
up  Little  Carr. 

On  the  right  of  the  fork,  % mile  up  it,  Robert  Col- 
lins has  a fifteen-yard  wet  entry  at  altitude  1,450,  show- 
ing 38  inches  of  the  main  seam  of  the  Fire-clay  coal 
under  10  feet  of  shale.  Nine  inches  more  coal  is  re- 
ported under  the  parting  below.  In  the  point  of  the  hill 
on  the  way  up  to  this  entry  the  black  slate  of  the  Whites- 
burg  bed  crops  out  at  altitude  1,385. 

On  the  left,  % mile  up  this  fork,  Charles  Logan  has 
a fifteen-yard  entry  into  the  Fire-clay  coal  at  altitude 
1,450,  having  34  inches  of  coal  under  2 inches  of  black 
slate,  then  6 feet  of  shaly  sandstone  and  then  3 feet  of 
massive  sandstone.  The  dump  gave  black,  flint  fire-clay 
about  6 inches  thick. 

The  Amburgy  coal  bed  continues  up  Carr  fork 
slightly  above  the  stream.  A section  of  the  bed  as  ex- 
posed beside  the  road,  on  the  left,  % mile  above  the 
mouth  of  Little  Carr,  is  given,  with  analyses,  in  Bulletin 
No.  11,  pages  105  and  106.  Its  altitude  is  exactly  1,030. 

BETTY  TROUBLESOME. 

On  the  left,  15%  miles  up  Carr  fork.  Altitude  of 
mouth,  1,030. 

Dice’s  (Stillhouse)  Branch. — On  the  left,  % mile 
up  Betty  Troublesome. 

On  the  right,  % mile  uu  this  branch,  W.  F.  Bentley 
has  a six-yard  entry  with  the  following  section: 

Fire-clay  Coal. 


Shale  5 ft. 

Coal  28" 

Flint  clay  3" 

Coal  7" 

Bone  coal  2" 

Coal  9" 

Black  slate  3" 


Altitude,  1195. 

Headman’s  Branch. — On  the  right,  % mile  up  Betty 
Troublesome. 

On  the  left,  % mile  up  the  branch,  10  feet  above  it, 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


297 


a foot  of  the  coal  of  the  Whitesburg  bed  is  exposed, 
under  3 feet  of  black  slate,  but  no  attempt  to  open  it  has 
been  made.  Its  altitude  is  1,180. 

Thirty  feet  higher  about  the  same  thickness  of  the 
Fire-clay  coal  outcrops,  altitude  1,210. 

On  the  left,  % mile  up  a left  branch,  % mile  up  Betty 
Troublesome,  Jefferson  Hall  has  a wet  entry  from  which 
the  following  was  obtained: 

Fire-clay  Coal. 


Shale  3 ft. 

Coal  26" 

Black-jack 4" 

Flint  clay  3" 

Coal  .10" 

Black  slate  3" 


Altitude,  1210. 


The  bottom  coal  and  slate  measure  13  inches;  the 
proportion  given  of  each  may  be  slightly  erroneous. 

Turkey-Pen  Branch. — On  the  left,  1 mile  up  Betty 
Troublesome.  Altitude  of  mouth,  1,088. 

On  the  right,  % mile  up  a left  branch,  % mile  up 
Turkey-Pen,  Noah  Reynolds  has  a wet  entry  but  with 
an  exceptionally  good  opportunity  to  measure  the  bed  at 
the  outcrop. 

On  the  left  % mile  up  Turkey-Pen,  20  feet  above  it, 
Reuben  Amburgy  (or  Nicholas  Combs)  has  a ten-yard 
entry.  Their  sections  follow : 


Fire-clay 

Coal. 

Reynolds. 

Reuben 

Amburgy. 

Shale  

...  2 

ft. 

Sandstone. 

Coal  

...  6' 

Shale  

3 1 

Shale  

...  6 

ft. 

Coal  

28" 

Coal  

...26' 

Black-jack 

4" 

Black-jack 

...  6' 

Flint  clay 

%u 

Flint  clay  

...  3' 

Coal  

14" 

Coal  

...  V 

Altitude,  1220. 

Bone  coal  

....  V 

Coal  

Altitude,  1180. 

...11' 

298 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  Kiver 


In  the  central  peak  at  the  head  of  Turkey-Pen,  l1/^ 
miles  from  its  mouth,  Marion  Tolliver  has  an  entry  into 
the  Flag  coal,  at  altitude  1,625,  giving  54  inches  of  fine, 
bright  block  coal,  the  lower  half  hard,  under  1 V2  feet 
of  shale  and  4 feet  of  sandstone.  The  area  of  the  bed 
here  is  very  small. 

An  attempt  was  made  in  former  prospecting  to  get 
a full  section  of  the  coals  on  the  right,  l1/^  miles  up  Betty 
Troublesome,  at  Leander  Parks’.  Following  are  the  re- 
sults obtained  from  recent  examination  there : The  open- 
ings were  made  so  nearly  over  one  another  that  dip 
may  be  disregarded. 


Altitude. 

High  peak  1865 

Prospect,  2 feet  coal  seen,  reported  88  inches.U 1675 

Prospect,  2 y2  feet  coal  seen,  reported  62  inches 1630 

Prospect,  covered  coal,  probably  thin  1325 

Prospect,  Fire-clay  coal  rider  1270 

8-yard  entry — Fire-clay  coal  (in  full  below) 1240 

Prospect — Whitesburg  coal,  1 y2  feet  1210 

Creek  1120 


The  Whitesburg  bed  is  recognized  by  its  4 feet  of 
black  slate  covering,  over  which,  .is  shaly  sandstone. 

The  Fire-clay  coal  bed  has  28' inches  of  coal  in  its 
main  seam,  and  bottom  coal  of  about  13  inches,  with 
black-jack  and  flint  fire-clay  parting  of  only  5 inches. 
Three  feet  of  shale  is  exposed  over  the  entry.  The  rider 
appears  to  be  thin. 

The  two  high  beds  of  the  section  are  believed  to  be 
of  the  Flag  and  Hindman  beds  with  a possible  error  in 
altitude  of  the  latter  to  account  in  part  for  the  proximity 
of  the  two.  If  such  is  the  case  the  interval  from  the 
Fire-clay  coal  to  the  Flag,  390  feet,  corresponds  nearly 
with  results  obtained  heretofore. 

The  higher  coal  still  has  covering  enough  over  it  to 
admit  of  mining  a fairly  good  area  in  this  ridge,  and  no- 
wdiere  else  is  so  large  an  area  of  this  coal  so  near  to  a 
large  stream  and  consequently  fairly  accessible. 

On  the  right  of  a right  branch,  iy9,  miles  up  Betty 
Troublesome,  % mile  up  the  branch,  Silas  Martin  lias 
an  eight-yard  entry  into  the  Fire-clay  coal  and  a five- 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


299 


yard  wet  entry  into  the  Wliitesburg  bed  40  feet  lower. 
The  sections  of  these  follow: 


Fire-clay  Coal. 


Sandstone  2 ft. 

Shale  2 ft. 

Coal  30" 

Rlack-jack 5" 

Flint  clay  2" 

Coal  12" 


Altitude,  1240. 


Whitesburg  Coal. 


Shale  

Coal  

Shale  

Coal  

Shale  

Coal  

Shale  

Coal  .. 

Altitude,  1200. 


5 ft. 
1" 

2" 

4" 

2" 

22" 

1" 

5" 


The  total  thickness  of  the  Wliitesburg  bed  meas- 
ures 41  inches,  leaving  four  inches  at  the  bottom  which 
may  be  additional  coal,  but  could  not  be  determined  in 
the  deep  water. 

On  the  left  of  a right  branch,  1%  miles  un  Betty 
Troublesome,  Vs  mile  up  the  branch,  Thomas  Hall  has 
ten-yard  and  four-yard  entries  into  the  Fire-clay  and 
Whitesburg  coals,  with  the  sections  following: 


Fire-clay  Coal. 

Sandstone  5 ft. 

Sandy  shale  6 ft. 

Coal  30" 

Black-jack  and  flint  clay..  6" 

Coal  10" 

Altitude,  1260. 


Whitesburn  Coal. 


Sandstone 

Shale  

Coal  

Shale  

Coal  

Shale  

Coal  

Shale  

Coal  

Altitude,  1230. 


15  ft. 

1 ft. 

1" 

1 to  6" 

6" 

1" 

24" 

6" 

6" 


Nicholas  Combs  has  a closed  entry  into  the  Whites- 
burg bed,  2 % miles  up  the  creek,  at  altitude  1,220.  The 
Fire-clay  coal  shows  above  it  at  1,250. 

On  the  left,  2%  miles  up,  is  a four-yard  wet  entry 
into  the  Fire-clay  coal  at  altitude  1,245,  having  in  its 
main  seam  29  inches  of  coal  and  about  9 inches  coal 
under  a parting  of  8 inches  black-jack  and  flint  clay. 
Eight  feet  of  shale  is  exposed  above  it. 

In  the  peak  at  the  head  of  the  creek,  three  miles 


300 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


from  its  mouth,  Jasper  Amburgv  has  a one-yard  entry 
with  the  following  section: 


Flag  Coal. 


Shale  10  ft. 

Coal  46" 

Black  slate  5" 

Coal  8" 


Altitude,  1650. 

The  broad  top  of  the  ridge  about  60  feet  lower  is 
due  to  the  cliff  sandstone  under  the  Hazard  coal  bed. 

On  the  left  of  the  road  and  of  Carr  fork,  16y2  miles 
up  and  20  feet  above  it,  at  altitude  1,055,  the  Amburgy 
bed  has  been  driven  under  cover  with  top  coals  and 
partings  substantially  the  same  as  follow  in  the  section 
below  and  bottom  seam  of  coal  half  covered.  On  the 
left  by  the  road,  16%  miles  up  Carr,  this  section  was 
obtained : 


Amburgy  Coal. 

Shale  10  ft. 

Coal  8" 

Shale  9" 

Coal  2" 

Shale  - 4" 

Coal  34" 

Shale  to  creek  at  1040. 

Altitude,  1055. 

On  the  right,  16%  miles  up  Carr,  J.  E.  Stamper  has 
an  opening  into  the  same  bed  at  altitude  1,080,  showing 
about  2%  feet  of  coal  at  the  bottom,  16  inches  parting 
and  3 inches  more  of  coal  at  the  top,  with  8 feet  of  shaly 
sandstone  above  it. 

BUCKEYE  BRANCH. 

On  the  right,  17  miles  up  Carr.  Altitude  of  mouth, 
1,045. 

On  the  right,  % mile  up  the  branch,  J.  E.  Stamper 
has  a six-yard  entry  into  the  Fire-clay  coal  at  altitude 
1,280.  The  main  seam  is  30  inches  thick  and  that  only 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


301 


lias  been  mined.  Tlie  flint  clay  parting  is  5 inches  or 
more  thick  and  8 inches  of  coal  is  reported  under  it. 
Three  feet  of  sandstone  covers  the  bed. 

On  the  left,  17%  miles  up  Carr,  and  on  the  right 
of  the  branch  at  Spider  postoffice,  John  Banks  has  an 
eight-yard  entry  into  the  Amburgy  coal  at  altitude 
1,085,  with  30  to  32  inches  of  coal  under  12  inches  of 
shale  and  with  2 inches  of  coal  above  that  and  20  feet 
of  cliff  sandstone  overlying  the  bed.  The  change  from 
the  long  series  of  exposures  of  apparently  true  clay 
shales,  found  below  on  the  creek,  to  this  massive  sand- 
stone is  very  striking.  A quick  return  to  the  shale  fol- 
lows. 

SMITH  BRANCH. 

On  the  left,  17%  miles  up  Carr.  Altitude  of  mouth, 
1,055. 

On  the  right,  % mile  up  this  branch,  an  eight-yard 
entry  gives  the  following: 

Amburgy  Coal. 


Shale  3 ft. 

Coal  3" 

Shale  2 ft. 

Coal  25" 

Black  slate  2" 


Altitude,  1075. 

A little  coal  may  be  under  the  slate,  the  bottom  not 
having  been  seen. 

On  the  left  of  a left  branch,  % mile  up  Smith 
branch,  % mile  up  the  left  branch,  Benton  Stampers  has 
a two-yard  entry  into  the  Whitesburg  coal  and  a twelve- 
yard  entry  into  the  Fire-clay  coal  rider.  Sections  of 
these  follow: 


Whitesburg 

Coal. 

Fire-clay 

Coal  Rider. 

Shale  

4 ft. 

Shale. 

Black  slate 

1%  ft. 

Coal  

5" 

Coal  

22" 

Shale  

% to  1" 

Altitude,  1240. 

Coal  

27" 

Slate  

2" 

Coal  

Altitude,  1290. 

4" 

302 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


The  slate  in  the  rider  is  soft  with  contained  coal 
and  may  be  but  little  deleterious. 

On  the  same  left  branch,  % mile  up  it,  Mr.  Stampers 
lias  a six-yard  wet  entry  into  the  Fire-clay  coal  at  alti- 
tude 1,290,  on  the  level  of  the  preceding  rider  coal  open- 
ing. This  entry  shows  about  40  inches  of  coal,  probably 
including  2 inches  of  black-jack  found  in  the  dump.  A 
foot  of  shale  covers  the  coal,  on  which  is  sandstone  in 
a slight  roll  which  appears  not  to  have  affected  the  coal. 

On  the  right  of  a left  branch,  1 % miles  up  Smith 
branch,  from  % to  % mile  up  the  left  branch,  on  Eze- 
kiel Caudill’s  land,  three  beds  show  within  50  feet  ver- 
tically. These  are  the  Whitesburg,  at  altitude  1,205, 
with  24  inches  of  coal  under  3 feet  of  black  slate,  in  a 
slip  which  may  not  show  all  of  the  coal;  the  Fire-clay 
coal  in  a fifteen-yard  entry,  and  the  rider  in  a four-yard 
;entry.  The  last  two  give: 


Fire  clay  Coal.  Fire-clay  Coal  Rider. 


Shale  

4 ft. 

Shale  

6 ft. 

Coal  

28" 

Coal  

5" 

Flint  clay  

4" 

Shale  - 

....  l" 

Coal  

11" 

Coal  

...25" 

Altitude,  1235. 

Black  slate  

3" 

Coal  — 

.....  2" 

Black  slate  

.....  1" 

Coal  

.....  9" 

Altitude,  1250. 

The  bottom 

seam  of 

the  Fire-clay  coal  is 

a.  good 

hard  block  with  one  inch  splintv;  the  top  is  especially 
noted  here  as  having  no  cleavage  planes,  generally  ab- 
sent in  Carr  fork  openings. 

On  the  right,  1%  miles  up  Smith  branch,  Robert 
Pigman  has  a ten-yard  entry  into  the  Fire-clay  coal 
rider,  and  two  miles  up,  a six-yard  entry  into  the  same 
bed.  Sections  of  these  two  entries  follow: 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


303 


Fire-clay  Coal  Rider. 

10-yard  entry. 


6-yard  entry. 


Shale  - 

Coal  - 

Clay  

Coal  

Clay  - 

Coal  

Black  slate  ... 

Coal  

Altitude,  1260. 


3 ft. 

2" 

% to  2" 

5" 

1" 

40" 

5" 

5" 


Sandstone. 

Shale  4 ft 

Cannel  slate  2" 

Shale  3" 

Coal  30" 

Black  slate. 


Altitude,  1285. 


On  tlie  right,  2%  miles  up,  the  top  of  the  Whites- 
bnrg  bed,  at  altitude  1,250,  shows  a foot  of  coal  under 
4 feet  of  black  slate. 

The  bed  with  the  two  entries  is  correlated  as  the 
rider  because  of  the  similarity  of  these  sections  with 
those  in  this  bed  farther  down  the  branch,  and  the 
Whitesburg  bed  because  of  its  black  slate  roof.  There 
seems  to  be  no  room  for  doubt  in  this,  though  it  leaves 
little  space  for  the  intermediate  Fire-clay  coal. 

At  the  head  of  the  branch,  2 % miles  up,  and  op- 
posite the  head  of  Sams  branch,  L.  Merkins  has  a five- 
yard  entry  with  the  following  section  at  its  face: 

Flag  Coal. 


Shale. 

Coal  about  48" 

Shale  5" 

Coal  10" 


Altitude,  1630. 


By  the  road,  on  the  left,  18%  miles  up>  Carr,  at  the 
mouth  of  an  entry,  and  again  on  the  left,  18%  miles  up 
Carr,  in  J.  W.  Reedy’s  eight-yard  entry,  the  following 
sections  were  obtained: 


Amburgy  Coal  (J.  W.  Reedy). 


Shale  6 ft. 

Coal  2" 

Shale  34" 

Coal  - 28" 

Black  slate 1" 

Clay  0 

Coal  3" 


Altitude,  1080. 


....10  ft. 
....  0 

0 

....26" 

....  2" 

....  l,r 
....  2" 
1095 


304 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


These  sections  are  particularly  remarkable  in  show- 
ing a close  resemblance  to  the  Fire-clay  coal  rider  on 
Smith  branch,  a bed  200  feet  higher  in  the  series  of 
the  strata. 

The  coal  showing  in  the  road  opposite  the  mouth  of 
Deer  fork  lies  about  30  feet  below  the  Amburgy  bed. 

DEER  FORK. 

On  the  right,  19  miles  up  Carr.  Altitude  of  mouth, 
1,065. 

On  the  right,  % mile  up  this  fork,  is  a coal  about 
one  foot  thick,  under  shale,  at  water  level  and  altitude 
1,075. 

On  the  left,  % miles  up,  Mrs.  Mary  Amburgy  has 
a six-yard  entry  with  the  following  section: 

Amburgy  Coal. 

Massive  sandstone  ....15  ft. 


Coal  6" 

Shale  1" 

Coal  18" 

Black  slate  2" 

Coal  2" 


Altitude,  1095. 

Fifteen  feet  of  thin-bedded  sandstone  down  to  the 
creeK  underlies  the  bottom  clay  of  this  opening.  Again 
there  is  a change  of  covering  to  massive  sandstone, 
which  continues  till  it  goes  below  drainage  a half  mile 
farther  up  this  fork. 

At  % mile  up  is  a left  branch  with  mouth  at  altitude 
1,125.  On  the  left  of  this,  % mile  up  it,  Hiram  Pratt  has 
a ten-yard  wet  entry  with  the  following  section: 

Fire-clay  Coal  Rider. 


Sandstone  3 ft. 

Shale  2 ft. 

Coal  1" 

Shale  3" 

Coal  4" 

Shale  3" 

Coal  23" 

Shale  1" 

Coal  22" 


Altitude,  1350. 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


305 


Other  openings  into  this  or  adjacent  beds  have  been 
made  on  this  fork,  but  none  were  in  condition  to  meas- 
ure when  visited.  Strata  rise  rapidly  up  stream. 

On  a right  branch,  y2  mile  up  and  on  the  left  of  the 
branch  and  road  to  Little  Carr,  Vs  m^e  from  the  gap, 
iy4  miles  from  Carr  fork,  is  Seymour  Amburgy’s  thirty- 
yard  entry  into  37  inches  of  the  main  seam  of  the  Fire- 
clay coal  bed,  at  altitude  1,375.  The  floor  is  black-jack 
and  a foot  of  coal  is  reported  under  the  parting.  Ten 
feet  of  shaly  sandstone  is  exposed  over  the  entry. 

On  the  right,  1%  miles  up  Deer  fork,  W.  B.  Smith 
has  a wet  entry  into  the  Whitesburg  bed,  at  altitude 
1,375,  having  37  inches  of  clean  coal  under  5 feet  of  shale. 

Above  the  preceding  is  an  eight-yard  entry  with  the 
following  section: 


Fire-clay  Coal. 

Shaly  sandstone. 


Shale  2" 

Coal  5" 

Shale  1" 

Coal  15" 

Mother  coal  14" 

Coal  12" 

Flint  clay  5" 

Coal  9" 


Altitude,  1405. 

This  entry  has  been  abandoned  in  favor  of  the  one 
below  it.  The  flint  fire-clay  here  is  black  instead  of  the 
usual  brown. 

On  the  left  of  a left  branch  20  miles  up  Carr,  V4 
mile  up  the  branch,  George  Kelly  has  an  opening  into 
the  Fire-clay  coal,  probably,  at  altitude  1,300,  giving 
32  inches  of  coal  on  a black-jack  or  black  slate  floor  and 
under  5 feet  of  shale. 

BRANHAM  CREEK. 

On  the  left  19%  miles  up  Carr:  Altitude  of  mouth, 
1,085. 

On  the  right  at  Ambrose  Amburgy’s,  Vs  mile  up 


306 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


the  creek  is  an  opening  into  the  Amburgy  bed  at  alti- 
tude, 1,115  which  is  duplicated  in  the  following  section 
from  a four-yard  entry  at  altitude  1,125,  on  the  left  of 
a right  branch  mile  up  the  creek.  The  section  is: 


Amburgy  Coal. 


Sandstone  10  ft. 

Coal  4" 

Black  slate  1" 

Coal  ...20" 

Black  slate  1" 

Coal  3" 


Altitudes,  1115  and  1125. 


Ten  feet  of  massive  sandstone  underlie  this,  coal, 
and  under  that  is  15  feet  of  shale  carrying  bastard  lime- 
stone boulders. 

On  the  left,  % mile  up,  Wiley  Tolliver  has  an  eight- 
yard  wet  entry  into  the  Fire-clay  coal  or  rider  as  given 
in  the  section  following: 


Fire-clay  Coal  Rider. 


Shale  5 ft. 

Black  slate  2" 

Clay  1" 

Coal  41" 

Black  slate  3" 


Altitude,  1340. 


The  black  slate  floor,  the  bottom  of  which  was  not 
reached,  seems  to  fix  the  bed  as  of  the  rider,  and  the 
coal  itself  lias  a more  defined  cleavage  than  the  Fire- 
clay coal  usually  shows  in  this  field.  The  two  inches  at 
the  top  is  somewhat  slaty. 


On  a left  branch,  % mile  up,  ys  mile  up  the  branch, 
Isom  Sloane  had  just  started  an  entry  at  the  time  of 
an  early  visit,  where  the  following  section  was  obtained : 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River  307 

Fire-clay  Coal  Rider 


Shaly  sandstone  1 ft. 

Coal  40" 

Bone  Coal  7" 

Shale  14" 

Coal  7" 

Altitude,  1295. 


Five  thin  partings  included  in  the  upper  seam  were 
expected  to  disappear  underground.  The  thickness  of 
coal  tends  to  correlation  of  this  opening  with  the  preced- 
ing notwithstanding  that  the  altitude  obtained  indicates 
it  as  of  the  Fire-clay  coal  bed.  A bed  once  opened  25 
feet  under  this  and  reported  three  feet  thick,  is  prob- 
ably the  latter,  though  the  presence  of  black  slate  in 
the  dump  is  rather  indicative  of  the  Wliitesburg  bed. 

Bentley  Fork. — On  the  left,  % mile  up  Branham 
creek:  Altitude  of  mouth,  1,125. 

In  the  branch  at  its  mouth  is  a coal,  probably  thin, 
under  30  feet  of  shale. 

On  the  left  of  a left  hollow,  % mile  up,  John  Bent- 
ley has  a closed  entry  at  altitude  1,285,  showing  a coal 
bed  3 to  4 feet  thick  under  thin  black  slate  as  in  the 
Tolliver  entry  just  preceding.  Eight  feet  of  shale  and 
a foot  of  sandstone  overlie  the  slate.  The  same  cover- 
ing is  exposed  over  an  abandoned  entry,  at  altitude 
1,265,  on  the  right  at  the  head  of  the  fork,  % mile  up  it. 

On  the  left,  % mile  up  Branham,  Washington 
Francis  has  a closed  entry  into  a tliree-foot  coal  bed 
with  10  feet  of  sandy  shale  above  it,  at  altitude,  1,330. 
This  is  probably  of  the  Fire-clay  coal,  the  rider  show- 
ing in  an  old  prospect  20  feet  above  it. 

Walnut  Fork. — On  the  left  1%  miles  up  Branham : 
Altitude  of  mouth,  1,160. 

On  the  left  of  this  fork,  % mile  up  it,  Lewis  Cook 
has  two  entries,  at  altitude  1,325,  into  clean  coal  48 
inches  thick  at  the  mouth,  45  inches  8 yards  in,  on  a 


308 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


foot  of  common  fire-clay  and  under  15  feet  of  sand- 
stone. Its  altitude  is  indicative  of  tlie  Fire-clay  coal 
bed,  but  with  other  beds  close  to  it  this  is  quite  uncer- 
tain. 


On  the  left,  y2  mile  up,  Nathaniel  Bentley  has  a 
four-yard  entry  into  the  Fire-clay  coal,  at  altitude  1,345, 
giving  34  inches  coal  on  3 inches  or  more  of  flint  fire- 
clay and  under  10  feet  of  massive  sandstone. 


On  the  right  of  the  left  branch  opposite  the  mouth 
of  Walnut  fork,  % mile  up  the  branch,  Nathaniel  Bent- 
ley has  a twenty-yard  entry,  at  altitude  1,315,  with  35 
inches  of  coal  on  what  appears  to  be  black  slate,  shale 
with  calcareous  concretions  lying  close  below.  “Draw 
slate,”  4 inches  thick  covers  the  coal,  on  which  is  8 feet 
of  shale  (making  a good  roof)  and  5 feet  of  sandstone. 
The  coal  looks  like  Fire-clay  coal,  and  it  is  not  unlikely 
that  the  floor  may  prove  to  be  black-jack. 


On  the  left  of  a right  hollow,  1 % miles  up  the  creek, 
Hugh  Anderson  has  a ten-yard  wet  entry  with  39 
inches  of  coal  (the  bottom  8 inches  not  seen)  under  10 
feet  of  massive  sandstone.  Its  altitude  is  1,315,  and 
this  with  its  roof  indicates  the  Fire-clay  coal  bed. 


On  the  right  2 miles  up  and  50  feet  above  the 
creek,  John  Sparkman  has  a fifteen-yard  entry  at  alti- 
tude 1,355  into  34  inches  of  coal  under  5 feet  of  sand- 
stone. The  floor  appears  to  be  of  flint  fire-clay  but  was 
not  positively  proven. 


The  numerous  openings  on  Branham  creek  would 
probably  suffice  for  correlation  were  they  fully  devel- 
oped, but  under  present  conditions  this  cannot  be  done 
satisfactorily.  The  most  important  conclusion  reached 
is  that  the  Fire-clay  coal  rider  may  be  the  best  bed  on 
the  creek,  but  that  it  has  not  been  opened  above  Bent- 
ley fork.  Nothing  was  seen  of  the  Whitesburg  bed. 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


309 


MALLET  FORK. 

On  the  left,  21%  miles  up  Carr.  Altitude  of  mouth, 
1,095. 

At  the  creek,  % mile  up  it,  is  6 inches  of  coal,  with 
6 inches  parting,  at  altitude  1,125,  under  20  feet  of 
shale.  This  shale,  in  greater  part,  continues  to  the 
Amburgy  coal  bed  about  30  feet  higher. 

The  Amburgy  coal  has,  on  the  left,  % mile  up  the 
creek,  the  following  section : 

Amburgy  Coal. 

Massive  sandstone  ....10  ft. 


Coal  3" 

Black  slate  1" 

Coal  13" 

Black  slate  1" 

Coal  4" 


Altitude,  1180. 

Shop  Hollow. — On  the  right,  % mile  up  Mallet 
fork. 

On  the  left,  % mile  up  the  hollow,  is  24  inches  of 
coal  with  2 inches  black  slate  parting  4 inches  from  the 
top  and  with  sandstone  roof.  Its  altitude  is  1,190  and 
it  seems  to  be  a remnant  of  the  Amburgy  bed. 

On  the  right  of  a right  drain,  % mile  up  hollow  and 
drain,  each,  Samuel  Williams  has  a three-yard  wet  entry 
with  the  following  section: 

Whitesburg  Coal. 

Shale  (changing  to 
thin  sandstone  at 


bottom)  5 ft. 

Black  slate  1 V2  ft. 

Coal  4" 

Shale  2" 

Coal  1" 

Shale  18" 

Black  slate  3" 

Coal  2" 

Shale  ; 3" 

Coal  23" 

Shale  2" 

Coal  14" 


Altitude,  1395. 


310 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


The  Amburgy  coal  is  apparently  thin  in  a rock 
house  at  the  mouth  of  a right  branch,  1 mile  up  Mallet 
fork,  at  altitude  1,195. 

On  the  left,  % mile  up  a left  branch,  1%  miles  up 
the  fork,  Mrs.  S.  Sloan  has  a new  entry  beginning,  be- 
side a closed  one,  from  which  the  following  section  was 
obtained : 


Fire-clay  Coal. 


Sandstone  1 ft. 

Coal  45" 

Black-jack  3" 

Flint  clay  3" 

Coal  10" 

Shale  1" 

Coal  6" 


Altitude,  1380. 

At  the  forks,  1%  miles  up  the  creek  and  in  it,  is  10 
inches  of  coal  and  shale,  covered  by  a foot  of  shale  with 
calcareous  concretions,  at  altitude  1,225. 

On  the  left,  Vs  mile  up  the  left  fork,  1%  miles  from 
Carr,  E.  J.  Short  has  a wet  entrv  into  a coal  bed,  nrob- 
ablv  the  Fire-clay  coah  though  the  roof  is  quite  differ- 
ent to  that  usually  found,  as  shown  by  the  following: 

Fire-clay  Coal  (?). 


Sandstone  5 ft. 

Shale  2 ft. 

Coal  1" 

Shale  3" 

Black  slate  2" 

Shale  8 ft. 

Coal  bed  4 ft. 


Altitude,  1385. 

HAYES  BRANCH. 

On  the  left,  21%  miles  up  Carr  fork. 

Ag'ain  on  this  branch,  at  its  mouth,  appears  the  6 
inches  coal  with  6 inches  parting  at  altitude  1,125,  as 
on  Mallet  fork. 

On  the  left,  Vs  mile  up  the  branch,  is  the  following: 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


311 


Amburgy  Coal. 


Sandstone  5 ft. 

Coal  4" 

Cannel  slate  1" 

Coal  .17" 

Black  slate  3" 

Coal  3" 


Altitude,  1145. 


On  the  right,  % mile  up,  the  Whitesburg  bed,  at 
altitude  1,285,  is  reported  1%  feet  thick.  At  the  head 
of  the  right  fork  of  the  branch,  on  the  right,  % mile 
from  Carr,  Lib.  Hayes  has  a tliree-yard  entry  into  the 
Fire-clay  coal,  at  altitude  1,310,  having  36  inches  of  coal 
on  10  inches  of  black  hint  fire-clay  and  bony  coal,  in 
about  equal  parts,  and  under  4 feet  of  soft  clay  shale, 
as  it  appears  at  the  mouth  of  the  entry. 

On  the  left  of  a right  branch  of  Carr  fork  opposite 
Hayes  branch,  Nelson  Hayes  has  opened  the  Amburgy 
coal  with  section  about  the  same  as  it  was  found  on 
Hayes  branch  and  at  the  same  height,  1,145. 

On  the  left  of  a left  branch,  at  its  head  % mile  up, 
21%  miles  up  Carr  fork,  Robert  Bates  has  a twenty- 
yard  entry  into  the  Fire-clay  coal  with  southerly  dip, 
at  altitude  1,340  (or  higher).  It  has  37  to  39  inches  of 
coal  on  a black  flint  fire-clay  floor,  and  under  6 feet  of 
shale. 

On  the  left  of  Carr  fork  and  the  road,  22  miles  up 
Carr,  the  Amburgy  bed  is  opened  in  a rock  house  with 
20  inches  of  coal  and  a black  slate  parting  9 inches 
thick,  2 inches  from  the  bottom.  More  coal  may  be 
under  this.  Its  altitude  is  1,190. 

WILLARD  BRANCH. 

On  the  right,  22%  miles  up  Carr.  Altitude  of 
mouth,  1,125. 

On  the  left  of  a left  branch,  % mile  up  Willard,  % 
mile  up  the  branch,  F.  H.  Thomas  has  an  entry  in  to  the 
Fire-clay  coal  at  altitude  1,400,  having  39  inches  of  coal, 


312 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  Kiver 


flint  fire-clay  floor,  and  roof  of  2 feet  of  shaly  sandstone 
under  4 feet  of  massive  sandstone. 

On  tlie  left,  % mile  up,  the  Amburgy  bed  is  exposed, 
under  a 10-foot  massive  sandstone  clilt,  with  27  inches 
of  coal  and  2 inches  black  slate  parting,  7 inches  from 
the  top,  its  altitude  1,190,  10  feet  above  the  creek. 

On  the  left,  a mile  up,  John  B.  Smith  has  a fifteen- 
yard  entry ; and  on  the  left  of  the  middle  head,  1%  miles 
up,  Marian  McIntyre  has  an  entry.  Their  sections  are 
as  follow: 


Fire-clay 

Coal. 

Smith. 

McIntyre. 

Shale  

5 ft. 

Shale  

...  5 ft. 

Coal  

34" 

Coal  

...31" 

Flint  clay  

4" 

Flint  clay  

...  7" 

Coal  

4" 

Coal  

...  5" 

Altitude,  1390. 

Altitude,  1400. 

In  the  McIntyre  entry  the  full  thickness  of  the  bot- 
tom coal  may  not  have  been  obtained.  The  flint  clay 
there  is  black. 

On  a left  branch,  22y2  miles  up  Carr  fork,  the  Am- 
burgy coal  shows  at  altitude  1,220,  but  its  section  is  not 
exposed. 

On  the  right  of  the  branch,  % mile  up  it,  Grant 
Honeycutt  has  an  eight-yard  wet  entry  into  the  Fire- 
clay coal  at  altitude  1,405.  The  main  seam  of  coal  is 
36  inches  thick  and  has  regular  cleavage.  Under  it  is 
about  4 inches  of  black-jack  and  probably  more  coal 
below  that.  Five  feet  of  shale  is  exposed  over  the  open- 
ing. 

On  the  right,  22%  miles  up  Carr,  at  the  head  of  a 
hollow,  N.  G.  Sturgill  has  a wet  entry  with  the  follow- 
ing section : 

Fire-clay  Coal. 

Shaly  sandstone  5 ft. 


Coal  35" 

Parting  5" 

Coal  5" 


Altitude,  1440. 

The  parting  is  a mixture  of  black-jack  and  flint  fire- 
clay. 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


313 


NEALY  BRANCH. 

On  the  left  23  miles  up  Carr.  Altitude  of  mouth, 
1,125. 

On  the  left  of  a left  hollow,  % mile  up  this  branch, 
William  Franklin  lias  an  eight-yard  wet  entry  giving 
the  following: 

Fire-clay  Coal. 


Sandstone  10  ft. 

Coal  35" 

Flint  clay  4" 

Bone  coal  2" 

Shale  6" 

Coal  6" 


Altitude,  1420. 

The  bottom  coal  was  not  seen  and  it,  with  the  coal 
above  it,  were  measured  approximately. 

In  the  branch  on  the  left,  % mile  up  Nealy,  5 inches 
of  coal,  under  15  feet  of  shale,  lies  at  altitude  1,190,  and 
on  the  right,  % mile  up,  is  the  following: 


Amburgy  Coal. 


Sandstone  ...10  ft. 

Coal  ...10" 

Clay  1" 

Coal  4" 

Shale  3" 

Coal  3" 


Altitude,  1215. 

On  the  left  fork  of  this  left  branch,  % mile  from 
Nealy,  are  two  abandoned  entries,  with  a third  just 
started,  into  the  Fire-clay  coal  at  altitude  1,405.  The 
bottom  coal  and  flint  fire-clay  are  there,  but  were  not 
open  to  measurement.  The  main  coal  seam  is  37  inches 
thick  and  lias  normal  cleavage  planes.  It  has  5 feet  of 
shale  covering. 

At  the  same  distance  from  Nealy  up  the  right  fork 
of  this  branch,  is  a fifteen-yard  entry  on  the  right  giving 
the  following  section : 


314 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


Fire-clay  Coal. 


Shaly  sandstone  4 ft. 

Sandy  shale  iy2  ft. 

Coal  2" 

Clay  1" 

Coal  36" 

Black  slate  1" 

Fire-clay. 

Altitude,  1385. 


Water  prevented  full  examination  of  tlie  fire-clay 
floor,  but  it  seemed  to  be  too  hard  for  other  than  flint 
clay.  That  and  the  character  of  the  roof,  which  is  ex- 
cellent, both  indicate  Fire-clay  coal.  Openings  on  this 
branch  are  on  land  of  Simon  Watts. 

On  the  right  of  Nealy,  at  the  mouth  of  this  branch, 
James  Mullins  has  a ten-yard  wet  entry  into  the  Fire- 
clay coal,  at  altitude  1,410,  having  about  36  inches  of 
the  main  coal  seam,  4 inches  of  flint  fire-clay  and  3 
inches  of  bottom  coal,  no  measurements  exact.  The 
roof  is  10  feet  or  more  of  massive  sandstone,  under 
which  is  4 inches  of  coal  and  slate  and  12  inches  of  weak 
clay  sandstone  to  the  main  coal.  These  16  inches  come 
down  with  the  coal  leaving  a good  roof  above. 

On  the  right,  1%  miles  up  Nealy,  Elam  Pigman  has 
a ten-yard  entry  into  the  Fire-clay  coal  at  altitude  1,425. 
The  main  coal  seam  is  increased  from  33  inches  two 
yards  in  to  36  inches  ten  yards  in.  The  floor  is  black 
jack  or  black  slate.  A good  roof  is  given  by  21  inches 
of  sandy  shale,  above  which  is  2 inches  of  coal  to  mas- 
sive sandstone  above  the  coal. 

On  the  right,  2 miles  up  Nealy,  Mr.  Pigman  has  an- 
other entry  into  the  same  bed  at  altitude  1,445,  giving 
38  inches  of  coal  on  an  inch  of  soft  black  slate.  Hard 
black  slate  and  flint  fire-clay,  6 inches  or  more,  provide 
the  floor,  with  possible  coal  below.  A half-foot  of  clay 
on  the  coal  and  a foot  of  sandstone  on  that,  the  latter 
inter-leaved  with  thin  sheets  of  coal,  make  a bad  roof 
until  they  fall.  Above  them  is  exposed  7 feet  of  sand- 
stone, making  a good  roof. 


* 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River  315 

SPRING  BRANCH. 

On  the  right,  2314  miles  up  Carr.  Altitude  of  mouth, 
1,130. 

On  the  left,  y2  mile  up  the  branch,  10  feet  above  it 
is  the  following: 


Amburgy  Coal. 


Sandstone  3 ft. 

Coal  3" 

Slate  3" 

Coal  15" 

Coal  and  shale  9" 

Altitude,  1255. 


On  the  left,  .%  mile  up,  George  Gibson  has  a twenty- 
yard  entry,  and  011  the  left  a mile  up,  Arch  Gibson  has 
a twelve-yard  wet  entry.  Their  sections  follow: 


Fire-clay  Coal. 


George  Gibson. 


Sandstone 3 ft. 

Coal  35" 

Black-jack  2" 

Flint  clay  5" 

Coal  7" 


Altitude,  1450. 


Arch  Gibson. 


Shale  2 ft. 

Shaly  sandstone  2 ft. 

Coal  - 37" 

Hard  bottom. 

Altitude,  1485. 


The  bottom  coal  where  seen  was  perfectly  good.  In 
the  Arch  Gibson  entry  the  roof  scales  off  in  thin  plates, 
but  nevertheless  space  25  by  30  feet  is  left  without 
props. 

On  the  right,  1V>  miles  up,  Edward  Gibson  has  a 
twelve-yard  entry  into  the  Flag  coal  at  altitude  1,880. 
The  bed  is  6 to  8 feet  thick  with  about  5 feet  of  coal  with- 
out parting  visible,  the  remainder  covered  by  falls  from 
the  roof,  which  is  an  extremely  bad  one,  10  feet  of  clay 
shale  showing  above  the  coal.  The  area  of  the  bed  here 
is  small,  though  a half-mile  of  outcrop  is  in  sight,  with 
covering  nowhere  so  much  as  100  feet  deep. 

The  cliff,  35  feet  high,  directly  under  the  Hazard 
bed,  shows  below  the  opening;  the  altitude  of  its  top, 
1,800. 


316 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


COLLINS  BRANCH. 

On  the  right  23%  miles  up  Carr.  Altitude  of 
mouth,  1,130. 

On  the  left,  % miles  up  the  branch,  Russell  Collins 
has  a three-yard  entry,  at  altitude  1,355,  into  a bed  with 
section  following,  which  is  a local  development  of  a bed 
probably  not  continuous. 

Whitesburg  Coal  (?). 


Shale  5 ft. 

Coal  25" 

Shale  7" 

Cannel  coal  10" 

Block  coal  4" 


Altitude,  1355. 

The  cannel  coal  is  of  excellent  quality,  apparently, 
but  it  is  reported  to  be  explosive  in  burning.  A flag 
stone  quarry  lies  40  feet  below  it. 

On  the  right,  % mile  up  the  branch,  Green  Craft 
has  an  abandoned  prospect  into  the  same  bed  (reported 
thick,  but  with  bad  roof)  at  altitude,  1,360. 

Over  this  cannel  opening  is  a five-yard  entry  with 
the  following  section : 


Fire-clay  Coal  Rider. 

Shale  8 ft. 

Black  slate  6" 

Coal  8" 

Shale  28" 

Coal  and  black  slate  8" 

Coal  27" 

Shale  1" 

Coal  18" 

Altitude,  1500. 

On  the  left  of  the  right  hollow,  1%  miles  up,  % mile 
up  the  hollow,  the  Fire-clay  coal  is  opened  at  altitude 
1,515.  The  main  coal  seam  is  probably  of  the  usual 
thickness,  about  3 feet,  2 feet  being  visible.  Black-jack 
and  flint  fire-clay  in  the  dump  prove  its  correlation.  It 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River  317 

has  over  it  2%  feet  of  shale  and  then  2 feet  of  sand- 
stone. 

On  the  left,  two  miles  np  the  branch,  the  Amburgy 
ccal  shows  about  2 feet  of  coal  under  sandstone,  at  alti- 
tude 1,310. 

On  the  left,  2 y2  miles  up,  Hazel  Collins  has  a 
twelve-yard  entry  with  the  section  following: 

Fire-clay  Coal. 


Shaly  sandstone  5 ft. 

Coal  34" 

Flint  clay  7" 

Coal  13" 

Altitude,  1540. 


The  bottom  coal,  as  well  as  the  top,  is  good,  and 
assurance  of  continued  thickness  is  given  by  an  open- 
ing across  the  ridge  on  Buck  branch  of  Rockliouse  hav- 
ing 4 inches  more  coal  and  3 inches  less  parting.  The 
parting  here  is  all  black. 

On  the  left  of  Carr  fork,  23%  miles  up  it,  % mile 
from  it,  at  the  head  of  a hollow,  Robert  Bates  has  a five- 
yard  entry  as  follows: 

Fire-clay  Coal. 


Sandstone  3 ft. 

Coal  37" 

Black  slate  2" 

Flint  clay  4" 

Coal  . 5" 


Altitude,  1440. 

An  inch  of  bony  coal  in  the  middle  of  the  bottom 
seam  impairs  its  value  probably  very  little.  The  stick- 
ing of  an  inch  of  the  top  coal  to  the  slate  under  it  is 
likely  to  be  more  troublesome. 

BUFFALO  BRANCH. 

On  the  left,  24  miles  up  Carr.  Altitude  of  mouth, 
1,160. 

On  the  right,  a half-mile  up  this  branch,  Wiley  Am- 
burgy has  a twelve-yard  entry,  from  which  the  follow- 
ing was  obtained: 


318 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  Fiver 


Fire-clay  Coal. 

Sandstone. 

Shale  6 ft. 

Sandstone  1 ft. 

Shale  iy2  ft. 

Coal  37" 

Altitude,  1490. 


A knife-edge  parting,  6 incites  from  the  top  of  the 
coal  is  so  unusual  as  to  he  almost  negligible  here. 

On  the  left,  24%  miles  up  Carr,  Alfred  Amburgy  has 
an  entry,  270  feet  above  the  creek,  having  the  following 
section  10  yards  in: 

Fire-clay  Coal. 

Sandstone. 


Coal  33" 

Flint  clay  6" 

Coal  7" 


Altitude,  1445. 


ROARING  BRANCH. 

On  the  right,  24%  miles  up  Carr.  Altitude  of  mouth, 

1,210. 

On  the  left,  % mile  up  this  branch,  John  S.  Am- 
burgy  has  a five-yard  entry,  and  on  the  right  of  a right 
hollow,  % mile  up,  Doctor  Sexton  has  a ten-yard  wet 
entry.  Both  are  in  the  Fire-clay  coal  and  their  bed  sec- 
tions follow: 


Fire-clay  Coal. 


Amburgy. 


Sandstone 5 ft. 

Coal  35" 

Flint  clay  6" 

Coal  6" 


Altitude,  1475. 


Sexton. 


Shale  3 ft. 

Massive  sandstone  3 ft. 

Coal  32" 

Black-jack  2" 

Flint  clay  4" 

Coal. 

Altitude,  1510. 


The  bottom  coal  of  the  first  entry  is  particu- 
larly fine-looking,  half  of  it  a rich  splint  coal.  In  the 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


319 


second  entry  the  bottom  coal  was  not  seen.  There  ap- 
peared to  be  about  a toot  of  it. 

On  the  right,  24 % miles  up  Carr,  William  Amburgy 
has  a two-yard  entry  into  the  top  seam  of  the  Fire-clay 
coal,  36  inches  thick,  at  altitude  1,470.  The  flint  fire- 
clay floor,  doubtless,  has  coal  under  it.  Two  feet  of 
shaly  sandstone  make  the  roof. 

TURKEY  BRANCH. 

On  the  left,  25%  miles  up  Carr.  Altitude  of  mouth, 
1,275. 

In  a peak  on  the  right,  % mile  up  a left  drain,  % 
mile  up  this  branch,  A illiam  Amburgy  has  a fifteen- 
yard  wet  entry  into  the  Flag*  coal  at  altitude  1,925.  The 
bed  is  6 to  8 feet  thick,  of  which  about  2 feet  wras  in- 
visible, mostly  block  coal,  but  with  a little  splint.  Fif- 
teen feet  of  soft  argillaceous  sandstone  covers  the  bed, 
and  a hard  sandstone  caps  the  peak,  which  carries  the 
only  area  of  this  coal  in  this  vicinity. 

WILDCAT  BRANCH. 

Cn  the  left,  25%  miles  up  Carr.  Altitude  of  mouth, 
1,295. 

A rock-liouse  on  the  right,  at  the  mouth  of  this 
branch,  gives  the  Amburgy  coal,  just  before  it  goes  be- 
low drainage  on  Carr  fork. 

On  the  left,  % mile  up  the  branch,  the  Fire-clay 
coal  rider  (probably)  is  opened  in  an  eight-yard  entry. 
Sections  of  these  two  beds  follow: 


Amburgy  Coal. 


Sandstone 10  ft. 

Coal  2" 

Shale  1" 

Coal  12" 

Shale  7" 

Coal  1" 

Shale  1" 

Coal  1" 


Sandstone. 
Altitude,  1300. 


Fire-clay  Coal  Rider.  (?) 


Sandstone 6 ft. 

Coal  17" 

Knife  edge  parting. 

Coal  7" 

Clay  1" 

Coal  4" 

Clay  2" 

Coal  10" 

Altitude,  1500. 


320 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


The  bottom  of  the  higher  heel  was  not  seen  and 
there  may  be  a little  more  than  10  inches  of  coal  in  that 
seam. 


In  a cliff  on  the  left  of  Carr,  rising  from  it  at  25% 
miles  np,  is  30  feet  of  shale  upon  which  is  as  much  more 
sandstone,  all  overlying  the  rock-honse  sandstone  cov- 
ering the  Ambnrgy  coal. 


On  the  left  branch  of  Carr,  26%  miles  up  it,  which 
gives  a road  to  Beaver  creek,  on  the  left  of  the  road 
and  right  of  the  branch,  % mile  up  it,  Wilburn  Honey- 
cutt has  a twelve-yard  wet  entry  into  the  Fire-clay  coal 
at  altitude  1,505.  The  main  seam  of  the  bed  appears 
to  be  3 to  3%  feet  of  coal  without  parting.  The  flint 
fire-clay  is  below  and  2 feet  of  shale  under  4 feet  of 
sandstone  is  exposed  on  top  of  the  coal. 


On  the  right,  26%  miles  up  Carr,  Wiley  Amburgy 
has  a twenty-yard  entry  with  the  following  section: 


Fire-clay  Coal. 


Sandstone  5 ft. 

Coal  36" 

Flint  clay  6" 

Coal  14" 


Altitude,  1515. 


In  a right  branch,  26%  miles  up  Carr,  % mile  up 
the  branch,  is  10  inches  of  coal  on  sandstone  and  under 
sandstone  15  feet  or  more  thick;  its  altitude,  1,435.  Be- 
side the  branch,  % mile  up  it,  the  Wliitesburg  bed  is  ex- 
posed, with  the  section  following.  On  the  left,  % mile 
up  the  branch,  20  feet  above  it,  is  Grant  Honeycutt’s 
eight-yard  entry  into  the  Fire-clay  coal,  with  the  section 
following : 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


321 


Whitesburg 

Coal. 

Fire-clay  Coal. 

Shale. 

Sandstone 

. 3 ft. 

Coal  

10" 

Coal  

.33" 

Black  slate 

. . 1" 

Black-jack  

4" 

Coal  

2" 

Flint  clay  

. 3" 

Fire-clay  

6" 

Coal  

.11" 

Covered  

1 ft. 

Altitude,  1535. 

Sandstone 

3 ft. 

Black  slate  

2" 

Coal  

1" 

Altitude,  1505. 

Two  inches  of  the  bottom  of  the  Fire-clay  coal  bed 
has  a slightly  bony  appearance,  but  is  probably  harm- 
less. 

On  the  left,  27%  miles  up  Carr,  Watson  Adams  has 
a prospect  into  the  Fire-clay  coal  giving  the  section  fol- 
lowing. On  the  right  and  partly  in  the  creek,  27%  miles 
up  Carr,  at  Omaha  postoffice,  Green  Collins  has  an  open- 
ing into  the  Fire-clay  coal  rider,  its  section  also  follow- 
ing: 


Fire-clay  Coal. 

Sandstone  8 ft. 

Sandy  shale  6 ft. 

Coal  3" 

Shale  i/2  to  1" 

Coal  30" 

Flint  clay 6" 

Coal  10" 

Altitude,  1615. 


Rider. 


Shale  8 ft. 

Black  slate  8" 

Coal  4" 

Shale  1" 

Coal  2" 

Shale  (with  coal)  9" 

Coal  2" 

Shale  1" 

Coal  16" 

Coal  (?)  36" 

Altitude,  1660. 


The  bottom  seam  of  the  Fire-clay  coal  has  no  bone 
in  it.  The  bottom  3 feet  of  the  rider  being  in  water 
was  not  seen.  The  2 feet  that  was  felt  appeared  to  be 
all  coal. 


k.  r.— 11. 


COALS  ON  THE  NORTH  SIDE  OF  NORTH  FORK 
FROM  CARR  FORK  UP  TO  AND  IN- 
CLUDING BULL  CREEK. 


COALS  ON  THE  NORTH  SIDE  OF  NORTH  FORK 
FROM  CARR  FORK  UP  TO  AND  IN- 
CLUDING BULL  CREEK. 


On  the  right  of  the  left  fork  of  a left  branch  y2  mile 
above  Carr,  at  its  head  a mile  from  the  river,  Elijah 
Combs  has  an  entry,  at  altitude  1,485,  into  good  hard 
block  coal,  37  inches  thick,  under  8 feet  of  shale.  A foot 
or  more  of  coal  is  reported  under  about  a foot  parting 
now  serving  as  floor  for  the  entry.  With  the  ridge  200 
to  300  feet  higher  a considerable  area  of  this  coal  is  avail- 
able. It  is  of  the  Flag  bed,  the  Fire-clay  coal  being  at 
altitude  about  1,100. 

Desultory  prospecting  reported  in  this  vicinity  has 
failed  to  bring  to  light  any  other  satisfactory  coal,  and 
no  other  opening  was  found  below  Felix  branch,  3% 
miles  above  Carr  fork,  and  1%  miles  above  Masu  sta- 
tion at  the  rnoulh  of  Macie’s  creek. 

On  the  right  of  the  left  fork  of  Felix  branch,  14  mile 
from  its  mouth,  Felix  Brashear  lias  an  eighteen-yard 
entry  with  the  following  average  of  a somewhat  variable 
section : 


Fire-clay  Coal. 


Sandstone  

15  ft. 

Shaly  sandstone  ... 

5 ft. 

Coal  

32" 

Black-jack  

8" 

Flint  clay  

3" 

Coal  

13" 

Black  slate  

2" 

Altitude,  1065. 

The  bottom  coal  is  a good  hard  block  coal. 

On  the  right  of  the  right  fork,  % mile  up  the  branch, 
the  top  coal  is  38  inches  thick,  the  rest  of  the  bed  hid- 
den. Its  altitude  is  1,050,  about  165  feet  above  the  river. 

On  the  left,  14  mile  up  a branch  214  miles  above 
Masu,  at  the  mouth  of  Macies  creek,  Nathaniel  Brashear 
has  a fifteen-yard  entry  with  the  following  section: 


326 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


Fire-clay  Coal. 


Shaly  sandstone  5 ft. 

Coal  39" 

Flint  clay  5" 

Coal  5" 

Black  slate  5" 

Shale  4" 

Coal  8" 

Altitude,  1100. 


Only  the  top  seam  of  coal  is  taken  out. 

At  2%  miles  above  Masu,  23  inches  of  coal  was 
taken  from  an  entry,  now  closed,  at  the  level  of  the  rail- 
road track,  altitude  930.  This  coal  shows  near  the  bot- 
tom of  the  following  section  taken  from  the  month  of 
a branch  3%  miles  above  Masu  and  y2  mile  below  Big 
branch. 


Section. 


Sandstone  40  ft. 

Covered,  shale  and 

sandstone  20  ft. 

Shale  25  ft. 

Coal  12"  " 

Shale  8" 

Coal  1" 

Shale  3" 

Coal  3" 

Fire-clay  1 ft.  J 

Sandstone  18  ft. 

Coal  23" 

Fire-clay  3 ft. 

Sandstone  to  track 
level  2 ft. 


Amburgy  Ccal. 

Altitude,  965. 


The  Fire-clay  coal  is  exposed,  slipped  so  that  its 
measure  could  not  be  taken,  in  a rock-liouse  % mile  up 
the  branch,  at  altitude  1,155. 


BIG  BRANCH. 

Homhre  station,  6 miles  above  Carr  fork.  Altitude 
of  mouth  of  branch,  905. 

On  the  right  of  a left  branch,  % mile  up  Big  branch 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


327 


and  % mile  up  tlie  left  branch,  Sampson  Brashear  has 
an  eight-yard  entry  with  the  following  section: 

Fire-clay  Coal. 


Sandstone  15  ft. 

Coal  29" 

Flint  clay  4" 

Coal  15" 


Altitude,  1140. 

The  bottom  coal  here  is  all  good. 

On  the  right  of  the  left  fork,  at  the  forks  of  the 
creek,  2%  miles  from  the  river,  the  following  is  exposed, 
giving  a section  from  the  creek  probably  about  up  to  the 
Wliitesbnrg  bed: 


Section. 


Sandstone  10  ft. 

Shale  10  ft. 

Sandstone  2 ft. 

Coal  5" 

Shale  and  coal 9" 

Coal  6" 

Fire-clay  1 ft. 

Shale  to  water 

level  4 ft. 

Altitude,  1145. 


On  the  right  and  left,  3 mile  up,  Thomas  Fields 
has  a four-yard  entry  and  exposure  in  a rock-liouse  of 
the  Fire-clay  coal,  at  altitudes  1,230  and  1,235,  giving 
24  and  31  inches,  respectively,  of  coal  in  the  main  seam. 
Apparently  there  is  no  coal  under  the  flint  fire-clay.  To 
that  clay  taken  from  the  entry,  a little  of  the  coal  ad- 
heres and  so  is  lost. 

On  the  right,  3%  miles  up,  three  entries  at  altitude 
1,240  give  32  and  36  inches  of  coal  over  black-jack  and 
flint  fire-clay  and  common  fire-clay  next  the  flint.  The 
coal  thickens  up  stream,  but  no  more  openings  have 
been  made  further  up  to  see  if  the  increase  continues. 
The  last  entries  are  about  20  feet  above  the  creek. 


On  the  left  of  the  river,  i/s  mile  above  Hombre, 


328 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  Fiver 


Richmond  McIntyre  has  a wet  entry  at  altitude  1,120,  in 
which  the  top  coal  is  24  inches  thick,  and  the  bottom  coal 
perhaps  as  much.  Five  feet  of  shale  lies  on  the  bed. 


On  the  left  of  the  river,  % mile  above  Hombre,  op- 
posite James  Riddle’s  house,  a prospect  gave  the  follow- 
ing section : 


Fire-clay  Coal. 


Shale  1 ft. 

Coal  25" 

Flint  clay  4" 

Coal  : 6" 

Bone  coal  3" 

Black  slate  4" 

Bone  coal  3" 

Coal  G" 


Altitude,  1090. 


Possibly  the  bone  coal  should  be  included  with  the 
rood  coal,  depending  largely  upon  whether  it  adheres 
to  the  slate  or  not.  Farther  entrance  into  the  bed  is  nec- 
essary to  determine  this,  or  if  it  changes  to  good  coah 
With  a considerable  showing  of  pyrite  flakes  on  ton  of 
the  coal  next  under  the  fire-clay  parting,  the  bed  does 
not  present  a rood  apnearance  here,  but,  nevertheless, 
it  is  reported  that  mining  is  about  to  be  begun  upon  it. 
Being  alongside  the  railroad  and  only  about  175  feet 
above  it  the  location  is  particularly  favorable. 


FORI)  BRANCH. 

One  mile  above  Hombre.  Altitude  of  mouth,  915. 

On  the  left  of  the  mouth  of  this  branch  Kllett  Mc- 
Intyre lias  a wet  entry  into  the  Fire-clay  coal  and  on 
the  left  at  the  forks,  V>  mile  up  the  branch,  is  a seven- 
yard  entry  into  the  same  bed  in  the  point  of  a hill  and 
hardly  under  solid  roof.  These  give  the  following  sec- 
tion, respectively: 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


329 


Fire-clay  Coal. 

Shale  

Black  slate  ... 

Coal  

Flint  clay  

Coal  

Fire-clay  

Altitude,  1135. 

On  the  right  fork  of  the  left  fork,  from  l1/^  to  2 
miles  up  from  the  river,  on  land  of  Solomon  Caudill,  the 
following  section  was  obtained,  the  Hindman  bed  show- 
ing on  the  left  at  the  head  of  the  branch,  the  bed  next 
below  being  opened  close  by: 


Section. 

Altitude. 

Ridge  tops,  about  1700  to  1750 

Hindman  coal  1660 

Francis  coal — 33  inches  1600 

Flag  coal — stain  1560 

. Cliff  under  Hazard  coal  1480  to  1510 

Young  coal — reported  30  inches  1470 


The  comparatively  broad  tops  to  the  hills  of  this 
vicinity  give  good  working  area  to  the  Flag  coal  (which 
has  not  been  opened),  but  higher  coals  are  too  restricted 
for  other  than  local  use. 

On  the  right,  % mile  from  the  river,  at  the  head  of 
a branch  iy2  miles  above  Hombre,  at  a closed  entry  on 
the  Ira  Banks  farm  the  following  was  obtained: 

Hindman  Coal. 

Broken  sandstone 

Shale  

Coal  and  shale  ... 

Coal  

Thin  parting. 

Coal. 

Altitude,  1730. 

The  total  thickness  is  reported  to  be  9 feet  and 
evidently  is  nearly  that,  but  the  small  area,  bad  roof  and 
great  height  render  the  bed  unattractive. 


i y2  ft. 

1 ft. 

2 ft. 


. 2 ft.  Earth. 

. 2 ft.  Coal  23" 

.21"  Flint  clay  4" 

. 4"  Coal  18" 


.21"  Altitude,  1155. 

. 1 ft. 


330 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


On  the  heads  of  a branch  2 miles  above  Hombre  the 
cliff  sandstone  under  the  Hazard  coal  lies  at  altitude 
1,540  to  1,570  and  above  this  is  the  Flatwoods  of  the 
vicinity.  Iron  ore  shows  in  small  quantities  at  1,590. 
At  1,625  the  Flag  coal  is  opened,  showing  a 3-foot  bed 
with  a 1-inch  parting  in  its  upper  half,  the  lower  halt' 
of  the  prospect  being  covered.  The  coal  is  somewhat 
slaty,  the  roof  sandstone.  The  opening  is  about  % mile 
sou tli  of  that  of  the  Hindman  bed  just  given. 

A prospect  in  the  point  of.  a hill  midway  between 
the  two  openings  last  given  shows  a thin  slaty  coal  at 
altitude  1,725.  This  is  of  the  Hindman  bed,  but  the 
place  chosen  for  opening  does  not  give  a fair  exposition - 
of  the  coal,  all  but  the  hard  and  slaty  coal  having  weath- 
ered away. 

In  the  railroad  cut  at  the  point  of  the  spur,  3% 
miles  above  Hombre  the  following  is  found : 


Shale  15  ft. 

Coal  1 ft.  Altitude,  985. 

Shale  15  ft. 

Coal  1 ft.  Altitude,  970. 

Sandstone  15  ft. 


One  or  both  of  these  coals,  probably  the  upper,  is 
of  the  Amburgy  bed,  close  under  which  is  often  found  a 
thin  coal. 

At  Cornettsville  postoffice,  3%  miles  above  Hombre, 
S.  W.  Hampton  lias  a seven-yard  wet  entry  with  the  fol- 
lowing section : 


Fire-clay  Ccal. 


Sandstone  4 ft. 

Shale  7 ft. 

Coal  18" 

Flint  clay  5" 

Coal  24" 


Black  slate. 
Altitude,  1180. 


On  a left  branch  at  Elijah  Sumner’s,  4 miles  above 
Ilombre,  the  Amburgy  bed  has  18  inches  of  coal,  lying 
on  20  feet  of  sandstone  and  under  12  feet  of  shale  in 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


331 


one  place  and  under  3 feet  of  shale,  then  20  feet  of  sand- 
stone in  another  adjacent.  Its  altitude  is  975. 

On  the  left,  % mile  up  the  branch,  the  Fire-clay  coal 
has  been  opened  at  altitude  1,190,  with  possibly  3 feet 
of  coal  in  the  upper  seam,  and  additional  coal  under  a 
5-incli  flint  fire-clay  parting. 

BULL  CREEK. 

Four  and  one-half  miles  above  Hombre.  Altitude 
of  mouth,  930. 

On  the  left  at  the  mouth  of  the  creek,  15  feet  above 
it,  the  thin  coal  under  the  Amburgy  bed  shows  about  8 
inches  thick  with  15  feet  of  sandstone  above  and  below 
it. 

On  the  right  a half-mile  up  the  creek  and  5 feet 
above  it,  the  Amburgy  bed  is  exposed,  at  altitude  985, 
with  2 feet  of  fire-clay  and  then  3 feet  of  thin-bedded 
sandstone  beneath  and  4 feet  of  sandstone  above  it. 

On  the  left  of  a left  branch  a mile  up  the  creek,  140 
feet  above  it,  % mile  up  the  branch,  John  Caudill  lias  a 
tliree-yard  wet  entry,  the  only  opening  found  on  the 
creek  into  the  Fire-clay  coal.  It  gives  in  section: 

Fire-clay  Ccal. 


Sandstone  3 ft. 

Shale  6 ft. 

Coal  26" 

Flint  clay  4" 

Coal  10" 


Altitude,  1165. 

The  bottom  coal  in  water  was  not  measured  exactly, 
and  thin  cannel  coal  was  reported  below  it. 

On  the  right,  1 % miles  up  the  creek  the  following  is 
exposed : 


Shale  40  to  50  ft. 

Coal  5" 

Shale  y2  to  iy2  ft. 

Coal  7" 

Shale  1 to  5 ft. 


Sandstone  in  creek. 
Altitude,  1155. 


332 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


The  upper  25  feet  of  this  shale,  with  large  lime 
boulders  in  it,  begins  to  go  under  the  creek  on  the  right, 
2 y2  miles  up  it.  On  the  shale  is  coal  and  black  slate  at 
altitude  1,220,  probably  of  the  Wliitesburg  bed,  the  usual 
sandstone  under  it  having  disappeared.  This  gives  a 
rise  of  strata  up  the  creek  of  about  80  feet  in  1 y2  miles. 

Opposite  the  mouth  of  the  large  left  branch,  3% 
miles  up  the  creek,  30  feet  of  shales  still  remain  above  it 
witli  10  feet  of  sandstone  covering  them. 

At  4 y2  miles  up,  30  feet  of  shale  above  the  creek  ap- 
pears again  with  24  inches  of  coal  at  altitude  1,380  in 
it,  20  feet  above  the  creek. 

At  4%  miles  up  this  coal  in  shale  is  reduced  to  8 
inches,  at  altitude  1,410. 

At  the  school  house  at  the  forks  of  the  creek,  5% 
miles  up  it,  the  altitude,  as  determined  by  barometer, 
is  1,490. 

At  the  head  of  the  left  fork,  % mile  up  from  the 
school  house  and  opposite  the  Green  Combs  entry  on 
Montgomery  creek,  George  Field  has  an  eight-yard 
entry  with  section  similar  to  that  of  the  Combs  entry, 
as  follows : 


Flag  (?)  Coal. 

Massive  sandstone  ....20  ft. 


Coal  16" 

Shale  5" 

Coal  40" 


Altitude,  1720. 


This  is  all  block  coal,  the  lower  seam  hard.  The 
hill  tops  are  150  to  200  feet  higher  and  being  well 
rounded  in  this  “flatwoods”  region,  give  a fairly  good 
area  to  the  bed. 

On  the  right  of  the  right  fork  and  of  the  road  to 
Defeated  branch,  a mile  above  the  school  house  and  a 
quarter-mile  from  the  gap,  James  B.  Caudill  has  a pit 
at  altitude  1,695,  from  which  lias  been  taken  coal  said 
to  be  30  inches  thick.  This  is  of  the  Hazard  (?)  bed,  and 
it  is  not  unlikely  that  a lower  seam  of  the  bed  would  be 
struck  by  sinking  the  pit  a little  deeper. 

Above  the  pit  is  a two-yard  entry  into  the  Flag  (?) 
bed,  which  here  is  somewhat  farther  from  the  Hazard 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


333: 


than  is  the  case  where  the  two  have  been  opened  in 
juxtaposition  farther  down  the  river.  Its  section  fol- 
lows : 


Flag  (?)  Coal. 


Sandstone  5 ft. 

Coal  16" 

Shale  6" 

Coal  1 ft. 

Shale  13" 

Coal  W....40" 


Altitude,  1760. 


THE  COALS  OF  MACIES  AND  LEATHERWOOD 
CREEKS  AND  NORTH  FORK  BETWEEN 
MACIES  AND  LEATHERWOOD 
CREEKS. 


THE  COALS  OF  MACIES  AND  LEATHERWOOD 
CREEKS  AND  NORTH  FORK  BETWEEN 
MACIES  AND  LEATHERWOOD 
CREEKS. 


The  area  covered  by  this  report  includes  the  drain- 
age basins  of  Macies  and  Leatherwood  creeks  and  also 
that  of  the  North  Fork,  Kentucky  River,  lying  between 
those  streams.  It  covers  the  southern  part  of  Perry 
County,  and  embraces  about  90  square  miles. 

The  report  embodies  the  results  following  recent 
visits  to  all  coal  openings  of  the  region  which  were  open 
at  the  time  to  examination  and  numerous  others  which 
had  become  more  or  less  covered.  To  the  information 
so  acquired  has  been  added  that  obtained  on  former 
visits,  the  whole  giving  as  complete  knowledge  of  the 
field  as  the  present  state  of  development  permits. 

Correlations  have  been  established  with  a sufficient 
degree  of  certainty  for  most  of  the  lower  coals,  but,  with 
several  similar  beds  of  the  higher  coals  in  close  juxta- 
position and  openings  far  apart,  it  is  not  unlikely  that 
more  thorough  investigation  may  lead  to  a change  from 
some  of  the  correlations  here  advanced.  It  is  believed, 
however,  that  such  changes  will  not  alter  materially  a 
general  estimate  of  the  field. 

The  accompanying  maps  of  the  two  creeks,  made 
from  recent  surveys  by  the  Kentucky  Geological  Survey, 
give,  in  addition  to  altitudes  along  the  streams  obtained 
by  spirit  level,  others  of  coal  openings  obtained  by 
aneroid  barometer,  consequently  approximate  only,  but 
seldom  far  amiss  as  they  were  derived  from  the  true  al- 
titudes along  the  creeks  as  a base. 

The  topography  of  the  region  is  similar  to  that  of 
Eastern  Kentucky  generally,  the  steep  hills  enclosing- 
narrow  valleys  and  rising  500  to  1,000  feet  to  sharp 
ridges. 

Strata  in  outcrop  in  the  region  are  from  about  50 


338 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


feet  below  the  Amburgy  coal  bed  to  some  300  feet  above 
the  Hindman  coal  bed,  the  total  thickness  nearly  corre- 
sponding with  the  height  of  the  highest  hills. 

The  prevailing  dip  is  northwestward,  but  on  some 
of  the  branch  streams  flowing  eastward,  the  larger  ones 
especially,  a reverse  or  a northeast  dip  is  found.  The 
average  rate  of  dip  from  the  mouth  of  Macies  creek  to 
the  head  of  Leatherwood  is  about  50  feet  per  mile.  The 
steepest  pitch  in  the  field  isjorobably  not  over  100  feet 
per  mile. 

The  succession  of  principal  coal  beds  in  outcrop 
and  the  approximate  intervals  between  them  are  given 
following  in  descending  order : 

Hindman  Coal  Bed. 

Interval,  150  to  200  feet. 

Flag  Coal  Bed.  (Locally  No.  7.) 

Interval,  40  to  50  feet. 

Hazard  Coal  Bed.  (Locally  No.  6.) 

Interval,  60  to  100  feet  or  more. 

Haddix  Coal  Bed.  (Locally  No.  5.)* 

Interval,  200  feet. 

Fire-clay  Coal  Bed.  (Locally  No.  4.) 

Interval,  60  to  70  feet. 

Whitesburg  Coal  Bed. 

Interval,  130  to  140  feet. 

Amburgy  Coal  Bed. 

The  Elkliorn  coal,  mined  at  Jenkins  and  McRob- 
erts,  is  about  200  feet  below  the  Amburgy  bed,  and 
therefore  below  drainage  and  of  unknown  bed  section. 

The  Amburgy  coal  bed,  of  especial  importance  on 
Carr  fork,  is  barely  of  workable  thickness  on  Leather- 
wood  creek,  where  only  in  this  region  it  appears  above 
drainage.  Lying  about  at  river  level  at  the  mouth  of 
that  creek  and  rising  with  the  drainage  for  over  2 miles 
up  Little  Leatherwood  and  for  8 miles  up  the  main  creek, 
such  thickness  as  it  has  is  easily  accessible.  The  bed  is 
thin,  however,  towards  the  mouth  of  the  creek  and,  with 
no  intermediate  openings,  shows  workable  thickness 

*A  coal,  the  “Young-”  coal  of  a former  report,  comes  between  the 
Haddix  and  Hazard  beds  and  is  occasionally  more  prominent  than  the 
Haddix.  It  is  possible  that  in  a few  cases,  where  the  interval  between 
the  Hazard  and  Haddix  is  apparently  decreased,  the  coal  called  Haddix 
herein  may  be  the  Young-  coal  with  the  Haddix  unopened  lower  in  the  hill. 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


339 


only  just  before  going  below  drainage  on  the  main 
creek. 

The  Whitesburg  bed  has  been  found  at  a few  points 
only  and  at  none  of  them  in  satisfactory  condition;  as 
the  coal  thickens  partings  increase.  Its  black  slate  roof, 
common  elsewhere  over  a large  area  is,  on  Macies  creek, 
a black  shale  and  on  Leatherwood  a brown  shale. 

The  sandstone  between  the  Whitesburg  and  Fire- 
clay coals,  which  is  especially  noteworthy  for  its  hard- 
ness over  much  of  Kentucky  river  areas  has  lost  that 
feature  in  this  locality,  and  the  bench  of  the  latter  coal 
is  rarely  prominent. 

The  Fire-clay  coal  is  about  150  feet  above  the  river 
at  the  mouth  of  Macies  creek.  On  the  Right  fork  are 
several  openings  with  thick  coal  injured  by  partings, 
but  the  bed  soon  goes  below  drainage  farther  up  the 
fork  with  diminishing  thickness.  On  the  Middle  fork  the 
thickness  holds  at  about  3 feet  above  the  flint  clay  part- 
ing, below  which  is  a foot,  more  or  less,  of  coal.  The 
bed  continues  above  drainage  for  4 miles  or  more,  but 
no  openings  into  it  appear  to  have  been  made  beyond 
2 Yi  miles  up  the  Middle  fork.  Lack  of  openings  on  the 
Left  fork  is  rather  indicative  of  thinning  in  that  direc- 
tion, but  the  bed  goes  under  the  fork  in  about  2 miles. 

Along  the  river  from  Macies  creek  to  Leatherwood 
it  appears  that  about  3 feet  of  coal  in  the  upper  seam 
can  be  counted  upon,  but  the  lower  seam  of  the  bed  is 
either  lacking  or  likely  to  be  found  much  injured  by 
partings. 

On  Leatherwood  creek  and  its  branches  from  the 
east  the  bed  is  above  drainage  nearly  to  their  heads. 
The  flint  clay  is  usually  the  bottom  of  the  bed,  out  of 
sight  and  not  easily  discovered  without  suitable  tools, 
so  that  in  many  cases  this  means  of  identification  was 
not  available.  Over  the  clay  is  generally  2%  to  3 feet 
of  coal,  the  excellent  character  of  which  seems  usually 
to  be  maintained.  While  higher  beds  are  thicker  this 
one  will  probably  supply  the  major  part  of  the  coal  of 
this  region. 

The  Fire-clay  coal  rider  appears  to  be  partly 
merged  into  the  main  bed  on  Macies  creek,  partly  cut 
out  altogether  there  and  at  other  points  on  the  river 


340 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


and  on  Leatherwood  creek,  and,  though  thick  enough  to 
work  on  Little  Leatherwood,  the  bed  is  of  little  import- 
ance. Sometimes  associated  with  several  other  thin 
coals  in  the  60  feet  above  the  Fire-clay  coal,  it  is  occas- 
ionally difficult  to  distinguish  it  from  them.  A well  de- 
fined bench  on  the  Leatherwood  creeks,  30  to  40  feet 
above  the  Fire-clay  coal,  should  help  to  do  so  on  fur- 
ther development.  Sometimes  these  coals  seem  to  be 
obliterated  by  a heavy  sandstone  resting  on  the  Fire- 
clay coal. 

The  Hamlin  coal,  100  feet  above  the  Fire-clay  coal, 
not  known  to  be  of  workable  thickness  elsewhere,  is  es- 
pecially to  be  noted  because  of  the  line  appearance  of  its 
32  inches  of  coal  on  Clover  fork,  Leatherwood  creek. 

The  sandstone  underlying  the  Haddix  bed  (contain- 
ing pebbles  on  Clover  fork  of  Leatherwood)  becomes  the 
most  prominent  in  this  region,  showing  cliffs  such  as 
those  above  that  coal  bed  noted  in  previous  reports,  but 
apt  to  be  higher  and  with  rougher  faces. 

The  Haddix  coal  is  of  very  uncertain  value  here  as 
elsewhere  on  account  of  variation  of  the  bed  and  diffi- 
culty in  getting  to  it  through  its  envelope  of  loose  rock 
broken  from  its  sandstone  covering  at  the  outcrop. 

On  Line  fork,  opposite  the  heads  of  Leatherwood, 
the  bed  has  six  to  eight  feet  of  coal  which  formerly  led 
to  correlation  with  the  thick  Hazard  bed,  notably  on 
Stony  fork  and  Bark  Camp  branch  of  Leatherwood.  That 
correlation  being  now  abandoned,  it  remains  to  locate  the 
Haddix  bed  anywhere  on  the  upper  half  of  Leatherwood 
creek,  no  knowledge  of  its  presence  there  having  yet  been 
acquired. 

Between  the  Haddix  and  Hazard  beds  is  the  place 
for  the  Young  coal,  but  not  known  of  workable  thickness. 

The  sandstone  overlying  the  Haddix  bed  is,  per- 
haps, as  prone  to  cliff-making  as  it  has  been  found  else- 
where, but  the  cliffs  give  little  aid  in  correlation  as  they 
here  resemble  too  closely  those  of  the  sandstone  below. 

The  Hazard  bed  is  probably  of  workable  thickness 
throughout  most  of  the  right  fork  of  Macies  creek,  but 
its  height  in  the  hill  and  restricted  area  with  coal  of 
only  moderate  thickness,  do  not  make  under  the  present 
slight  development,  an  attractive  exhibit.  On  the  head 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


341 


of  the  Middle  fork  the  coal  is  thick  enough  hut  areas  are 
small.  Lack  of  development  on  the  Left  fork,  with 
rather  thin  coal  in  the  river  hill  below  Leatherwood,  is 
not  promising  for  those  localities. 

On  Leatherwood  creek  farther  south  than  the  mouth 
of  Owen  branch,  the  Hazard  bed  seems  to  be  generally 
thick  with  sufficient  areas  for  working  on  Beehive  branch 
and  Clover  fork,  and  of  increasing  areas  southward  to 
Kentucky  ridge,  where  the  area  is  large  notwithstand- 
ing a rapid  rise  of  strata  to  it. 

The  Flag  coal  has  workable  thickness  wherever 
found,  but  its  openings  are  few,  its  height  renders  areas 
generally  small  and  its  correlation  is  somewhat  uncer- 
tain. 

The  cliffs  above  the  Flag  coal  which  are  particularly 
striking  in  capping  ridges  in  northern  Perry  county 
have  not  that  predominance  in  this  region.  The  high 
sandstones  are  still  in  evidence,  but  they  have  lost  the 
endurance  which  characterizes  cliff-making  rocks. 

The  Hindman  coal  bed,  found  in  this  region  only 
on  the  heads  of  the  Right  fork  of  Macies  creek,  has  good 
thickness  but  without  much  area.  Kentucky  ridge  offers 
area  enough  to  warrant  search  for  the  bed,  which  as  yet 
appears  not  to  have  been  made  there. 

Cannel  coal  is  almost  wholly  lacking  in  this  field, 
the  only  cannel  seen  being  in  a thin  bed  on  Stony  fork. 
Occasional  reports  of  it  elsewhere  seemed  to  refer 
rather  to  cannel  slate  or  to  a very  thin  coal  bed. 

The  following  pages  give  details  of  openings  visited 
and  such  other  matter  as  seemed  to  merit  notice.  Each 
stream  and  its  branches  is  taken  in  succession  from  its 
mouth  to  its  head,  the  terms  left  and  right  being  used 
as  when  looking  up  stream. 

Surface  distances  given  in  miles  are  on  the  main 
streams,  taken  from  the  maps  of  the  streams  and  are 
slightly  longer  than  the  corresponding  distances  by  road. 
Distances  on  branch  streams  are  more  roughly  approxi- 
mate. Underground  distances,  in  yards,  are  given  with- 
out attempt  at  accuracy,  but  are  not  wide  of  the  mark. 
Entries  inaccessible  because  of  water  are  denoted  wet 
entries,  those  where  the  faces  were  not  seen  are  called 
long  entries.  Thickness  of  strata  given  in  feet  are  ap- 


342 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


proximate  only ; given  in  inches  they  may  be  relied  upon 
as  correct. 


MACIES  CREEK. 

RIGHT  FORK. 

On  the  right,  % mile  up  Macies  creek.  Altitude  of 
mouth,  88 5. 

On  the  right,  y2  mile  up  a right  branch,  % mile  up 
this  fork,  on  the  John  Babcock  land  (later  Burt  and 
Brabb  Lumber  Co.),  is  an  entry  into  the  river  hill  which 
gave  the  following  bed  section : 


Flag  Bed. 

Shale  

3 ft. 

Coal  

16" 

Clay  

1" 

Coal  

41" 

Altitude,  1450. 

Much  of  the  upper  two  feet  of  the  lower  seam  is 
splint  coal;  the  lower  14-  inches  was  measured  under 
water  and  may  contain  a small  parting.  The  correlation 
here  is  somewhat  uncertain  as  it  involves  a rise  of  strata 
of  about  100  feet  from  the  mouth  of  the  branch,  against 
the  prevailing  dip  but  with  the  drainage.  The  bed  here 
has  enough  covering  over  it  to  provide  a fairly  good 
working  area. 

On  the  left,  a mile  up  the  Right  fork,  Finley  Hen- 
dricks has  a twelve-yard  entry  into  the  Fire-clay  coal, 
and  below  it,  5 feet  above  the  creek,  the  Wliitesburg 
bed  is  exposed.  The  sections  there,  and  at  John  Hall’s 
eight-yard  entry  into  the  Fire-clay  coal  follow,  the  lat- 
ter entry  being  on  the  left  1%  miles  up  the  creek. 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 

34o 

Fire-clay 

Coal. 

i 

Hendricks. 

Hall. 

'!a 

Sandstone 

•: 15  ft. 

Sandstone  

40  ft. 

Coal  

2" 

Black  shale  

1 ft. 

Shale  ... .. 

13" 

Coal  ... 

3"  ,.ba 

Coal  

3" 

Shale  

2 ft. 

Shale  

1" 

Coal  

1" 

Coal  

1" 

Shale  

3" 

Shale  

2" 

Coal  

4" 

Coal  

3" 

Shale  

11" 

Shale  

2" 

Coal  

14" 

Coal  

38" 

Shale  

6" 

Flint  fire-clay 

4" 

Coal  

24" 

Coal  

Flint  fire-clay  

5" 

Altitude,  990. 

Coal  ' 

1.3" 

Altitude,  1010. 

Whitesburg  Bed. 

Shale  

1 ft. 

Black  shale  .. 

.5  ft. 

Coal  

6"  ; I , 

1 . •»  TY  : " 

Shale  

.7"  , ‘ ‘ 

Coal  

...10" 

Shale  

5 ft. 

Altitude,  940. 

In  the  Hendricks  entry,  measured  at  its  face,  the 
flint  clay  and  coal  under  it  are  not  taken  up.  In  the 
Hall  entry  they  are  taken  up  two  yards  in  and  the 
bed  section  was  obtained  there.  At  both  entries  the 
upper  parting  contains  iron-ore  nodules. 

On  the  right  of  the  creek  and  road,  1%  miles  up, 
two  abandoned  entries  into  the  Fire-clay  coal  show  about 
40  inches  of  coal  under  2 feet  of  shale  and  coal  with 
thick  massive  sandstone  above. 

An  old  opening,  1 % miles  up  the  Right  fork,  gave 
but  22  inches  of  coal  in  the  Fire-clay  coal  bed,  divided 
one  foot  down  by  a fire-clay  parting  of  4 inches.  While 
it  is  not  unlikely  that  this  sudden  reduction  from  the  sec- 
tions for  this  bed  just  given  is  partly  due  to  an  out- 
crop squeeze  of  the  upper  portion  of  the  section,  a 
workable  bed  cannot  be  fully  relied  upon  farther  up  the 
creek. 


344 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


Big  Branch. — On  the  right,  1%  miles  up  the  Right 
fork.  Altitude  of  mouth,  1,005. 

On  the  left,  % mile  up  this  branch,  on  John  Pratt’s 
land,  an  incomplete  opening  has  been  made  into  the  Flag 
bed,  apparently,  which  gives  the  following  section  al- 
most identical  with  that  into  the  same  bed  on  the  hill 
behind  the  town  of  Hazard.  Farther  opening  into  the 
bed  may  give  an  improved  section. 

Flag  Bed. 

Shale. 


Coal  21" 

Shale  3" 

Coal  10" 

Shale  1" 

Coal  5" 


Altitude,  1460. 

This  bed  lies  on  sandstone  exposed  in  a cliff 
nearby,  and  135  feet  below  it  is  the  top  of  another  cliff 
on  which  is  the  Haddix  bed. 

At  214  miles  up  the  Right  fork  the  Fire-clay  coal  is 
30  feet  above  the  creek,  on  the  right,  and  there  has  20 
inches  of  coal  under  the  fire-clay  parting  and  12  inches 
above  it,  and  still  more  in  what  appears  to  be  the  roof, 
but  from  this  point  a roll  carries  the  bed  rapidly  down 
into  the  creek,  cutting  out  with  sandstone  much  of  the 
upper  coal.  Coal  has  been  taken  from  the  creek  here, 
at  altitude  1,020,  but  its  thickness  is  not  known. 

On  the  left  of  a right  branch,  2%  miles  up  the  Right 
fork,  % mile  up  the  branch,  a prospecting  cut  in  the 
point  of  a small  spur  gave  2 feet  of  coal  and  shale  under 
5 feet  of  shale  and  with  a sandstone  cliff  slightly  higher. 
At  altitude  1,315,  about  300  feet  above  the  Fire-clay  coal, 
it  is  evidently  of  the  Hazard  bed.  The  opening  was 
made  where  the  coal  may  not  show  full  thickness,  and 
the  cut  was  not  carried  in  far  enough  to  distinguish  be- 
tween coal  and  shale. 

Wooten  Branch. — On  the  right,  3 miles  up  the 
Right  fork.  Altitude  of  mouth,  1,050. 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


345 


On  the  right,  at  the  branch,  y2  mile  up  it,  is  the  fol- 
lowing exposure  containing  what  appears  to  be  the  Fire- 
clay rider : 


Shaly  sandstone  8 ft 

Coal  14" 

Clay  1 y2  ft. 

Red  shale  1 ft. 

Coal  2" 

Soft  clay  shale  4 ft. 


At  % mile  up  the  branch,  and  in  it,  is  a foot  of  coal 
and  shale  under  8 feet  of  shale,  the  upper  half  sandy 
and  the  lower  half  clay  shale.  As  the  strata  are  ris- 
ing for  a short  distance  with  the  branch  this,  at  altitude 
1,110,  may  be  of  the  same  bed  as  that  next  preceding 
On  the  right,  one  mile  up  the  branch,  beside  the 
road  to  Cutshin  creek,  a wet  entry  gives  at  its  mouth 
the  following  section: 


Hazard  Bed. 


Sandstone  5 ft. 

Shale  1 ft. 

Coal  27" 

Black  slate  6'' 

Coal  2" 


Altitude,  1295. 


On  the  head  of  Wooten  creek,  on  the  Cutshin  creek 
side  of  the  ridge  from  this  last  opening,  is  another  one, 
unfinished,  giving  18  inches  of  coal,  parted  four  inches 
from  the  top  by  one  foot  of  clay  containing  coal.  This, 
at  altitude  1,305,  is  probably  also  of  the  Hazard  bed. 

On  the  right,  3%  miles  up  the  Right  fork  of  Macies 
creek,  a closed  entry  into  the  Hazard  bed  gives  39  inches 
of  coal  under  8 feet  of  soft  shale  at  altitude  1,325.  The 
top  of  a 25-foot  cliff,  above  the  entry  is  at  altitude  1,365. 

At  J.  F.  Caudill’s,  3%  miles  up,  on  the  right  % mile 
up  a left  branch,  the  top  of  the  same  cliff  is  at  altitude 
1,380,  and  another  coal,  the  Flag  bed,  shows  20  feet 
higher,  making  it  here  about  60  feet  above  the  Hazard 
bed. 


346 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


The  following  section  is  taken  from  my  early  re- 
port of  coals  found  near  Farler  Postoffice  at  the  forks, 
4 miles  up  the  Right  fork;  altitudes  corrected  to  con- 
form to  recent  leveling. 


Section. 

Interval  to  top  of  hill,  50  feet. 

Sandstone  5 ft. 

Coal  7" 


Coal  and  shale 
Clay  

12" 

Altitude,  1545. 

Interval. 

Sandstone  

60 

ft. 

Altitude,  1465. 

Interval. 

Sandstone  

20 

ft. 

Altitude,  1425 

Interval. 

Shale  

5 

ft. 

Coal  

4" 

Shale  

9" 

Flag  Bed. 

Coal  

4" 

Shale  

6' 

Coal  

V 

Altitude,  1395. 

Interval. 

Shale  

Hazard  Bed. 

Coal  

13' 

Altitude,  1360. 

Sandstone  

5 

ft. 

Interval. 

Young  Bed. 

Coal  stain  

Altitude,  1345. 

Interval. 

Sandstone  and  shale. 

Hamlin  Bed. 

Coal  and  shale 

20' 

Coal  

15' 

Altitude,  1165. 

Interval. 

Black  slate  ... . 

13' 

60  ft.  (?)  above 
Fire-clay  Ccal. 

Coal  

15' 

Clay  

2' 

Coal  

12 

Altitude,  1150. 

Interval. 

Right  fork  at 

Farler. 

Altitude,  110. 

Stafford  Fork. — On  the  left,  4 miles  up  Right  fork. 
Altitude  of  mouth,  1,110. 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


347 


Fields  Fork. — On  tlie  right,  % mile  up  Stafford  fork. 

On  the  left  of  a right  branch,  1 % miles  up  Fields  fork, 
i/s  mile  up  the  branch,  Jason  Fields  has  an  entry  into  the 
Hindman  bed,  having  a total  thickness  of  about  6V2  feet, 
so  far  as  could  be  made  out,  with  coal  and  partings 
similar  to  those  in  Dehart’s  entry  following  on  Wells 
fork.  The  lower  foot  of  the  bed  was  covered  by  water. 
Upon  the  coal  is  a foot  of  clay  and  then  10  feet  of  sand- 
stone. It  is  too  near  the  top  of  the  hill  to  give  workable 
area,  so  far  as  seen,  being  at  altitude  1,750. 

A prominent  bench  lies  50  feet  lower  and  the  top 
of  a cliff,  390  feet  lower,  at  altitude  1,360. 

Wells  Fork. — On  the  right,  4 miles  up  Right  fork. 
Altitude  of  mouth,  1,110. 

On  the  left,  % fnile  up  this  fork  are  two  wet  entries, 
giving,  under  sandstone,  a bed  some  60  feet  above  the 
Fire-clay  coal,  with  coal  slightly  less  than  obtained  in 
the  section  just  given. 

By  A.  L.  Dehart’s  house,  at  the  head  of  Wells  fork, 
1%  miles  up  and  in  it,  is  a pit  from  which  coal  of  the 
Haddix  bed,  at  altitude  1,350,  has  been  taken.  The 
sandstone  under  it  gives  a broad  bench  as  soon  as  the 
creek  has  cut  through  it.  Sandstone  lies  also  close  above 
the  coal. 

On  the  right  from  this  coal  is  a twenty-yard  entry, 
which,  measured  two  yards  in,  gave  the  following  bed 
section. 


Hindman  Bed. 


Sandstone  40  ft. 

Coal  16" 

Shale  6" 

Coal  11" 

Shale  1" 

Coal  9" 

Shale  2" 

Coal  35" 

Clay  

Shaly  sandstone  2 ft. 

Altitude,  1680. 


348 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


On  the  right  of  Macies  creek,  % mile  from  its  mouth, 
y8  mile  above  the  Right  fork,  John  H.  Hall  (former 
owner  William  Singleton)  has  an  entry  into  the  Fire- 
clay coal,  in  which  measurements  given  below  were  taken. 

On  the  left,  % mile  up,  Eli  Hall  has  an  opening  into 
the  same  bed,  which  has  been  mined  wide  under  a cliff 
and  is  now  partly  tilled.  Where  posts  were  put  to  sup- 
port the  clay  roof  the  clay  lias  fallen  away,  leaving  an 
open  space  between  the  top  of  the  posts  and  the  sand- 
stone above  them.  A wedge  of  sandstone  runs  down 
through  the  clay  to  the  coal,  and  also,  in  part,  thin 
sandstone  overlies  the  coal  with  the  clay  still  above  it. 
The  bed  section  here  is  given  following: 


Fireclay  Ccal. 


J.  H.  Hall. 


Sandstone .10  ft. 

Coal  28" 

Flint  fire-clay  5" 

Coal  8" 

Black  slate  3" 

Bone  coal  2" 


Altitude,  1020. 


Eli  Hall. 


Sandstone 10  ft. 

Clay  0 to  4" 

Coal  33" 

Flint  fire-clay  4" 

Coal  7" 

Shale  5" 

Coal  2" 

Shaly  sandstone  20  ft. 

Altitude,  1025. 


Henry  Campbell  (former  owner  Woolrey  Campbell) 
has  a new  twelve-yard  entry,  on  the  right,  % mile  up 
the  creek,  with  bed  section  as  follows,  and  an  old  one 
on  the  right,  % mile  UP  the  creek  with  bed  section  as 
taken  formerly,  also  following.  Coal  from  this  entry 
is  now  used  by  the  locomotive  carrying  timber  and  lum- 
ber along  the  creek. 


New  Entry. 

Fire  clay 

Ccal. 

Old  Entry. 

Sandstone 

..  8 

ft. 

Coal  

.35' 

Coal  

..34' 

Flint  fire-clay  

...  5' 

Flint  fire-clay  

..  4' 

Coal  

...13 

Coal  

..  7' 

'+ 

Shale  

...  2' 

Bottom  of  bed  not  reached. 
Altitude,  1020. 

Coal  

Altitude,  1020. 

...  9 

North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


349 


MIDDLE  FORK  OF  MACIES  CREEK. 

On  the  right,  one  mile  up  Macies  creek.  Altitude  of 
mouth,  915. 

On  the  right,  % mile  up  this  fork,  Benjamin  Cornett 
has  a ten-yard  entry  into  the  Fire-clay  coal  bed  with  49 
inches  of  coal  and  a parting  of  brown  flint  fire-clay  36 
inches  from  the  top,  the  upper  seam  of  coal  as  measured 
at  the  face  and  the  lower  at  the  mouth  of  the  entry.  The 
altitude  obtained,  1,030,  is  probably  below  the  actual 
height. 

Pound  Mill  Branch. — On  the  left,  % mile  up  Mid- 
dle fork.  Altitude  of  mouth,  963. 

On  the  left,  % mile  up  the  branch,  Benjamin  Cor- 
nett has  a long  wet  entry  giving  41  inches  of  coal  3 yards 
in,  the  lower  6 inches  in  water,  and  with  5 inches  of 
flint  fire-clay  32  inches  from  the  top.  Argillaceous  sand- 
stone covers  it.  Its  altitude  is  1,110,  or  possibly  some- 
what less. 

On  the  left  of  Middle  fork,  % mile  up  it,  Mr.  Cor- 
nett has  a third  wet  entry,  with  46  inches  of  coal  and  4 
inches  brown  flint  fire-clay  35  inches  from  the  top.  It  is 
covered  by  3 feet  of  shale,  1 foot  of  black  slate  and 
one  more  of  shale  to  the  sandstone  above.  Its  altitude 
as  obtained  is  1,110. 

On  a right  branch,  % mile  up  Middle  fork,  on  the 
right,  Y/l  mile  up  the  branch,  Mr.  Cornett  has  a long 
entry,  with  35  inches  of  top  coal,  5 inches  of  brown 
flint  fire-clav  and  7 inches  or  more  of  coal  under  it;  the 
bottom  of  the  bed  not  reached.  Its  roof  for  10  feet  is 
sandstone  and  its  altitude  1,045. 

According  to  altitudes  obtained  of  this  bed  from 
the  mouth  of  the  Right  fork  to  this  -point,  strata  lie 
nearly  level  and  then  rise  suddenly.  It  is  more  likely 
that  the  rise  is  actually  nearly  uniform  and  probably 
not  ouite  so  great  as  indicated. 

On  a right  branch,  one  mile  up  Middle  fork,  i/s  mile 
up  it,  and  i/s  mile  up  its  right  branch,  on  each  side  are 
wet  entries  of  Lafayette  Cornett’s.  The  one  on  the 
right  has  the  following  bed-section  measured  at  its 
mouth : 


350 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


Rider  to  Fire-clay  Coal. 


Sandstone  15  ft. 

Coal  2" 

Shale  11" 

Coal  3" 

Shale  7" 

Coal  4" 

Shale  2" 

Coal  37" 


Altitude,  1110  (?). 

Holiw  Thicket  Branch. — On  tlie  right,  l1/^  miles 
up  Middle  fork.  Altitude  of  moutli,  993. 

On  the  right  of  the  branch,  % mile  np  it,  Rand  Cor- 
nett has  two  abandoned  entries  with  apparently  1 y2  to 
2 feet  of  coal,  possibly  more,  under  2 feet  of  slate  and 
shale.  Three  inches  of  coal  separates  the  shale  from 
the  sandstone  cliff  above.  This  is  of  the  Fire-clay  coal 
bed  at  altitude  1,045. 

On  a left  branch,  % mile  up  Holly  Thicket,  on  the 
light  at  the  mouth  of  the  branch,  Walter  Hall  has  two 
entries,  partly  closed,  with  bed  section  at  the  mouth  of 
one  of  them  as  given  following. 

On  the  left,  % mile  up  Holly  Thicket,  John  Asher 
has  an  entry  into  the  same  bed  with  section  approxi- 
mately as  follows: 


Hazard 

Hall. 

Shaly  sandstone  


Shale  10  ft. 

Coal  2" 

Shale  . 11" 

Coal  31"  or  more. 


Altitude,  1395. 


(?)  Coal. 

Asher. 

Shale  4 ft. 

Coal  4" 

Shale  8" 

Coal  16" 

Altitude,  1390. 


At  each  place  the  shale,  brown  at  the  top,  changes 
gradually  to  black  at  the  bottom.  The  coal  is  probably 
of  the  Hazard  bed. 

On  the  left  of  Middle  fork,  1%  miles  up,  an  unfin- 
ished prospect  into  the  Fire-clay  coal  bed  gives,  under 
earth  cover,  38  inches  of  coal  and  6 inches  flint  fire-clay 
parting  27  inches  from  the  top.  It  is  quite  possible  that 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


351 


complete  opening  would  develop  6 to  12  inches  more 
coal.  Its  altitude  is  1,055. 

Lick  Branch. — On  the  right,  2%  miles  up  Middle 
fork.  Altitude  of  mouth,  1,055. 

On  the  left,  at  the  mouth  of  the  branch,  Robert  Bra- 
shear  has  a ten-yard  entry  with  section  and  analysis  by 
the  State  Survey  of  my  sample  of  coal  above  the  fire- 
clay parting  as  given  below: 

Fireclay  Coal. 

Shale  and  sandstone. .15  ft. 


Coal  28" 

Bone  coal  2" 

Coal  10" 

Flint  fire-clay  6" 

Coal  (reported)  16" 

Altitude,  1115. 


Analysis.  (Upper  Bench.) 


Moisture  1.61 

Volatile  combustible  matter  37.69 

Fixed  carbon  53.50 

Light  brown  ash  7.20 


100.00 

Sulphur  67 

Coke  60.70 

B.  T.  U 14,298 


The  bone  coal  appears  to  have  increased  the  per- 
centage of  ash  but  little  and  is  not  likely  to  be  continu- 
ous. The  rest  of  the  upper  seam  is  a fine-looking,  bright, 
soft  coal,  with  irregular  fracture. 

On  the  left,  4%  miles  up  Middle  fork,  Manuel  Bra- 
shear  has  a long  entry  blocked  by  a fall  of  roof  15  yards 
in  where  the  bed  section  following  was  obtained : 

Hazard  Bed. 

Shale. 

Coal  

Shale  

Coal  

Altitude,  1530. 


. 9" 
.10" 
.24"  + 


352 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


The  lower  coal  seam  was  not  fully  exposed;  it 
probably  is  about  30  inches  thick.  An  exceptionally  bad 
roof  there  is  due  in  part  to  the  light  covering,  it  being 
only  about  30  feet  thick  where  the  line  of  the  entry 
crosses  the  ridge.  The  gap  % mile  north,  where  the 
trail  from  the  Middle  to  Left  fork  crosses  the  ridge, 
is  at  the  same  height  as  the  entry,  1,530,  and  the  area 
of  the  bed  here  is  small.  The  character  of  the  covering 
is  somewhat  indicative  of  the  Hazard  coal  bed,  but 
nothing  determinative  of  correlation  was  seen  in  the 
vicinity.  Assuming  strata  to  lie  at  a nearly  uniform 
slope  from  the  upper  opening  of  the  Fire-clay  coal  to 
the  Singleton  entry  on  Leatherwood  creek  that  bed 
would  be  about  330  feet  beneath  the  Manuel  Brashear 
entry,  bearing  out  the  assumption  and  the  conclusion 
that  the  latter  is  of  the  Hazard  bed. 

Old  Rock  Branch. — On  the  right,  5^  miles  up 
Middle  fork.  Altitude  of  mouth,  1309. 

In  this  branch  at  its  mouth  coal  has  been  taken  said 
to  be  5 inches  thick. 

On  the  left  near  the  head  of  the  branch,  1%  miles 
up  it,  and  against  a head  of  Trace  branch  of  Cutshin 
creek,  is  a narrow  prospect  cutting  said  to  have  shown 
9 feet  of  coal  without  parting.  Some  4 to  5 feet  of  coal 
is  still  exposed,  not  enough  to  verify  nor  contradict  the 
report.  The  area  here  is  somewhat  larger  than  at  the 
Manuel  Brashear  entry,  but  still  small.  The  bed,  at 
altitude  1,5C0,  appears  to  be  again  the  Hazard.* 

LEFT  FORK  OF  MACIES  CREEK. 

On  the  right,  one  mile  up  Macies  creek.  Altitude 
of  mouth,  915. 

In  a drain  on  the  left  of  this  fork,  y4  mile  up  it,  the 
heirs  of  P.  W.  Hall  have  a wet  entry  into  the  Fire-clay 
coal  giving  at  its  mouth  36  inches  of  coal  and  a flint  fire- 
clay parting  of  5 inches,  31  inches  from  the  top.  Its 
altitude  is  1,045.  Nine  inches  of  shale,  under  sandstone, 
covers  the  bed. 

This  bed  probably  goes  below  drainage  near  the 


s Correlation  is  somewhat  doubtful. 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


353 


Road  fork,  2 miles  up  from  Middle  fork,  at  altitude 
about  1,100. 

On  the  left,  3%  miles  up,  10  feet  above  the  stream, 
8 inches  of  coal,  under  sandstone,  shows  at  altitude 
1,310.  Also  thin  coal  has  been  taken  from  the  right 
branch  there,  % mile  up  it,  at  about  the  same  height. 

The  relation  of  this  coal  to  the  coal  of  the  Manuel 
Brashear  entry  is  so  nearly  the  same  as  that  of  the  thin 
coal  taken  from  Old  Rock  branch  of  Middle  fork,  to 
the  thick  coal  at  the  head  of  that  branch,  that  it  is  re- 
garded as  helping  to  establish  the  correlation  of  the  two 
beds.  Thin  coal  may  be  found  almost  anywhere  in  the 
series  of  strata,  but  such  similarity  of  occurrence  is 
given  some  weight. 

So  far  as  was  learned  no  other  coal  openings  on  this 
fork  than  those  given  are  now  open  to  view.  A little 
prospecting  was  done  in  former  years,  but  nothing  re- 
mains of  that  work. 

NORTH  FORK  FROM  MACIES  CREEK  TO 
LEATHERWOOD  CREEK. 

On  the  right  of  the  river,  2%  miles  above  Macies 
creek,  Hiram  Baker  has  an  eight-yard  entry  into  the  Fire- 
clay coal  bed  having  30  inches  of  coal  at  its  face  above 
the  flint  fire-clay  which,  at  the  mouth  of  the  entry,  is  5 
inches  thick.  Two  inches  of  coal  are  reported  to  be 
under  the  fire-clay.  In  the  lower  3 feet  of  sandstone 
roof  some  coal  appears.  The  30  feet  above  that  is  sand- 
rtone  with  some  shale.  The  bed  lies  180  feet  above  the 
river,  at  altitude  1,070. 

On  the  right  of  the  river,  2%  miles  above  Macies 
creek,  James  Brashear  has  a four-yard  entry  into  the 
same  bed,  giving  27  inches  of  coal  upon  4 inches  of  flint 
fire-clay  and  4 inches  of  coal  under  the  clay.  The  roof 
is  sandstone  and  the  altitude  of  the  entry  1,090. 

In  a right  drain,  3 miles  above  Macies  creek,  the 
same  bed  has  been  opened  at  altitude  1,090.  Over  it  is 
80  feet  of  sandstone,  part  shaly,  under  coal,  slightly 
slipped.  Either  a great  thickening  of  sandstone  has  oc- 
curred here  c-r  the  Fire-clay  coal  rider  has  been  com- 
pletely cut  out. 

On  a right  branch,  3^/2  miles  above  Macies  creek,  on 

k.  R. — 12. 


354 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


the  left  of  the  branch,  % mile  up  it,  Joel  Brashear  has 
an  opening  giving  23  inches  of  coal,  under  sandstone, 
at  altitude  940,  about  160  feet  below  the  Fire-clay  coal, 
probably  of  the  Amburgy  bed,  or  of  the  upper  part  of  it. 

On  the  right,  5%  miles  above  Macies  creek,  James 
Riddle  lias  a now  closed  entry  with  the  following  section : 

Fireclay  Ccal. 


Shale  2 ft. 

Coal  24" 

Flint  fire-clay  3" 

Coal  5" 

Black  slate  4" 

Coal  (?)  10" 


Altitude,  1090. 


DIKE  BRANCH. 

On  the  right  of  the  river,  6 miles  above  Macies 
creek.  Altitude  of  mouth,  895. 

On  the  left,  % mile  up  the  branch,  William  Pratt 
has  a wet  entry  with  the  following  bed  section : 


Fireclay  Ccal. 


Shale  4 ft. 

Coal  39" 

Flint  fire-clay  5" 

Coal  4" 

Black  slate. 

(?) 


Altitude,  1155. 


The  total  thickness  of  the  bed  at  the  mouth  of  the 
entry  is  62  inches,  making  the  thickness  of  the  black 
slate  and  coal  below  it  (in  water)  14  inches. 

On  a right  branch,  6%  miles  above  Macies  creek,  oil 
the  right,  ^4  mile  up  the  branch,  the  following  section 
was  obtained  from  a closed  four-yard  entry,  showing  a 
remarkable  change  in  the  strata  overlying  the  coal  from 
the  thick  sandstone  at  openings  between  this  point  and 
Macies  creek: 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


355 


Fireclay  uoal. 

Massive  sandstone  6 ft. 

Brown  shale  3 ft. 

Coal  . 1 ft. 

Soft  dark  shale  ft. 

Coal  and  soft  shale  2 ft. 

Dark  brown  flinty  clay  l1/^  ft. 

Thin-bedded  sandstone  (rusty)  1 ft. 

Dark  shale  with  lime  and  iron  kidneys 1 ft. 

Bright  yellow  clay  1 ft. 

Dark  shale  with  small  iron  kidneys  IV2  ft. 

Hard  dark  shale  6 to  8" 

Brown  shale  15" 

Coal  34" 

Flint  fire-clay  5" 

Coal  6" 

Black  slate  (?)  ...17" 

Coal  5" 

Altitude,  1115. 


The  lower  parting  has,  in  outcrop,  much  the  ap- 
pearance of  block  coal,  but  its  weight  condemns  it. 

The  bright  lemon-yellow  clay  over  the  coal  is  found 
also  at  one  place  on  Leatherwood  creek,  but  is  not  known 
to  occur  elsewhere. 

CAMPBELL  BRANCH. 

On  the  right  of  the  river,  7 miles  above  Macies 
creek,  giving  the  short  road  to  that  stream  and  to  Haz- 
ard. Altitude  of  mouth,  900. 

On  the  right,  % mile  up  the  branch,  John  B.  Pratt 
has  an  entry,  now  closed,  giving  the  following  section : 

Fire-clay  Coal. 


Sandstone  2 ft. 

Shale  1 ft. 

Sandstone  2 ft. 

Shale  4 ft. 

Coal  ...28" 

Flint  fire-clay  5" 

Coal  (?)  19" 


It  is  probable  that  the  bottom  19  inches  includes 
some  black  slate  which  could  not  be  distinguished  from 


356 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


coal  at  the  time  of  measurement.  This  opening  being 
not  over  % mile  from  the  one  next  preceding,  the  change 
in  covering  is  especially  to  be  noted. 

BRIER  BRANCH. 

On  the  right  of  the  river,  7%  miles  above  Macies 
creek,  1 mile  below  Leatherwood  creek.  Altitude  of 
mouth,  900. 

On  the  right,  % mile  up  the  branch,  the  Fire-clay 
coal  is  opened  in  a five-yard  wet  entry,  at  the  mouth  of 
which  the  following  section  was  taken.  The  coal  cover- 
ing here,  including  the  lemon-yellow  clay,  is  very  like 
that  on  the  branch  below  Campbell  branch,  while  the 
covering  of  the  Campbell’s  branch  coal  differs,  although 
about  midway  between  them. 

Fireclay  Ccal. 


Brown  shale  — - 3 ft. 

Massive  sandstone  . . 2 ft. 

Brown  shale  2 ft. 

Brown  shale  with  iron  kidneys  . - 1 ft. 

Dark  shale  . 1 ft. 

Bright  yellow  clay  % ft. 

Brown  shale  . 4%  ft. 

Coal  ... 26" 

Flint  fire-clay  4" 

Coal  7" 

Black  slate  6" 

Coal  reported  about  12" 

Altitude,  1100. 


On  the  left,  % mile  up  the  branch  and  10  feet  above 
it,  is  the  following,  probably  including  one  or  all  of  the 
coals  in  the  covering  of  the  main  bed  on  the  branch  below 
Campbell  branch: 

Rider  to  Fire-clay  Coal. 


Shale  5 ft. 

Coal  6" 

Shale  10" 

Coal  10" 

Shale  1V2  ft. 

Shaly  sandstone  8 ft. 

Altitude,  1140. 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


357 


Coal  is  exposed  in  the  left  fork  of  the  branch,  A4 
mile  up  it  and  1 mile  from  the  river,  and  from  the  coal 
and  an  adjacent  prospecting  cut  on  the  left  the  following 
section  was  obtained : 


Haddix  Bed. 


Shale  3 ft. 

Coal  5" 

Shale  9" 

Coal  22" 

Black  slate  1 ft. 

Sandstone  


Altitude,  1300. 

The  interval  from  the  Fire-clay  coal  to  this  one 
seems  to  prove  the  latter  as  of  the  Haddix  bed,  but  it 
is  not  impossible  that  the  latter  may  yet  be  found, 
slightly  higher,  directly  under  the  next  sandstone.  The 
general  pitch  of  strata  is  in  favor  of  this  view. 

LEATIIERWOOD  CREEK. 

The  following  section  was  obtained  from  the  rail- 
road cut  opposite  the  mouth  of  this  creek: 

Section. 


Shale  15  ft. 

Ccal  1 ft. 

Shale  15  ft. 

Coal  1 ft. 

Sandstone  15  ft. 

Railroad. 

Covered  30  ft. 

River. 


Altitude,  905. 

The  two  coal  seams  probably  represent  the  Am- 
burgy  bed,  one  of  which,  presumably  the  upper  one, 
shows  at  several  points  along  the  road  up  the  creek  from 
its  mouth  to  opposite  the  mouth  of  Little  Leatlierwood, 
under  a sandstone  cliff  in  place  of  the  shale  found  at 
the  railroad.  It  is  reported,  however,  that  there  is  a 
4-foot  bed  of  coal  in  the  river,  and,  if  this  is  true,  then 
it  must  be  of  the  Amburgy  bed,  and  the  other  two  seams 
are  higher  coals. 


358 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


LITTLE  LEATHERWOOD  CREEK. 

On  the  left,  y2  mile  up  Leatlierwood.  Altitude  of 
mouth,  915. 

On  the  left,  l1/?  miles  up  the  creek,  10  feet  above  it, 
this  same  upper  seam,  apparently,  is  still  about  one 
foot  thick  and  under  20  feet  of  massive  sandstone  form- 
ing a low  rock  house  at  altitude  1,020. 

At  James  Riddle  ’s,  1%  miles  up  the  creek,  a thin 
coal  shows  on  a small  bench  on  the  right,  at  altitude 
1,175,  and  above  it,  is  an  entry  into  a coal  bed  2 y2  feet 
(or  more)  thick,  the  bottom  foot  hidden  in  water.  Over 
it  is  1%  f^et  of  black  shale  with  small  concretions  and 
then  2 feet  more  of  the  shale  without  concretions.  This 
bed  is  the  Fire-clay  coal  rider  at  altitude  1,270. 

Bent  Branch. — On  the  left,  2 miles  up  the  creek. 
Altitude  of  mouth,  1,048. 

In  the  branch,  ys  mile  up  it,  a thin  coal  shows  on 
sandstone  at  altitude  1,065. 

On  the  right  of  the  branch,  % mile  up  it,  F.  A. 
Griff  ee  has  a four-yard  entry  into  a coal  bed  3 feet  thick, 
containing  about  2 feet  of  coal  with  three  partings,  the 
lower  one,  of  6 inches,  being  rash  coal.  This  appears 
to  be  of  the  Fire-clay  coal  bed  at  altitude  1,215.  It  is 
covered  by  about  6 inches  of  black  slate  and  then  two 
feet  of  shale  exposed. 

On  the  left  of  the  creek,  2y4  miles  up  Little  Leather- 
wood,  Lindsey  Holcomb  has  an  entry,  fallen  in,  said  to 
have  28  inches  of  coal,  under  sandstone,  and  with  flint 
fire-clay  floor.  It  is  but  about  % mile  from  the  Griffee 
entry  and  nearly  certainly  of  the  same  Fire-clay  coal 
bed — with  altitude  1,225. 

Coal  I to  1%  feet  thick  is  reported  25  feet  higher 
corresponding  with  the  coal  of  the  Riddle  entry  into  the 
rider. 

Twin  Branch. — On  the  right,  2 y2  miles  up  the 
creek.  Altitude  of  mouth,  1,060. 

On  the  left,  y2  mile  up  the  branch,  the  former  Pratt 
entrv  still  shows  coal  upon  flint  fire-clav  at  altitude 
1,265. 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


359 


Fender  Creek. — On  the  left,  4 miles  up  Little 
Leatherwood.  Altitude  of  mouth,  1,128. 

A section  taken  for  the  Survey  in  1884  gives  the 
following  coals  found  in  the  vicinity  of  the  mouth  of 
the  creek  with  altitudes  corrected  to  conform  to  recent 
levels : 


Haddix  Coal. 


Rider  (?) 


Fire-clay  Coal. 


Whiteojurc"  Coal. 


Section. 


Coal  stain  Altitude,  1485. 

Interval. 

Shale. 

Coal  9"  Altitude,  1365. 

Interval. 

Sandstone  

Black  slate  12" 

Shale  1" 

Coal  26"  Altitude,  1305. 

Interval. 

Shale. 

Coal  6" 

Shale  3V 

Coal  2" 

Shale  5" 

Coal  17"  Altitude,  1240. 


The  Haddix  bed  may  prove  workable,  but,  in  this 
immediate  vicinity,  the  hills  appear  not  high  enough  to 
give  much  area.  Back  from  the  main  creek,  that  and  the 
Hazard  bed  may  both  be  found  of  workable  thickness 
and  area. 

On  the  rivht,  1 mile  iw  Fender  creek,  Moces  Isom 
has  a ten-yard  entry  into  the  Fire-clay  coal,  32  inches 
thick  at  the  face.  Its  floor  is  argillaceous  sandstone 
and  over  the  coal  8 feet  of  sbele.  Its  altitude  is  1,355. 

Opposite  this  last  entry  Mr.  Isom  has  another,  now 
closed,  beside  the  road,  giving  the  following  section  at 
its  mouth : 

Fire-clay  Ccal. 


Shale  5 ft. 

Coal  48" 

Sandstone  6 ft. 

Thin  coal  

Clay  


Altitude,  1355. 


360 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


This  48  inches  includes  possibly  a 1-inch  parting  1 
inch  from  the  bottom. 

On  a right  branch,  4 y8  miles  up  Little  Leatherwood, 
on  the  right,  % mile  up  the  branch,  Marian  Holcomb  has 
a six-yard  entry  into  the  Whitesburg  bed,  measured  at 
its  face,  and  opposite,  on  the  left,  a three-yard  closed 
entry  into  the  Fire-clay  coal  bed.  These  are  given 
below : 


Whitesburg  Bed. 

Shale  5 ft. 

Coal  6" 

Shale  1" 

Coal  5" 

Shale  1" 

Coal  18" 

Altitude,  1260. 

On  the  next  right  branch,  4%  miles  up  Little  Leath- 
erwood, on  the  left,  % mile  up  the  branch,  Harvey  Hol- 
comb has  a one-yard  entry  into  the  Fire-clay  coal,  about 
28  inches  thick,  the  lowest  6 inches  not  seen,  under  8 
feet  of  shale.  Its  altitude  is  1,330. 

On  the  next  right  branch,  4%  miles  up  Little  Leath- 
erwood, on  the  right,  % mile  up  the  branch,  William 
Hall  has  an  open  cut  into  the  Fire-clay  coal  bed,  giving, 
under  soft  clay  covering  and  on  a flint  fire-clay  floor, 
coal  varying  from  24  to  28  inches  in  thickness,  at  alti- 
tude 1,360. 

Opposite,  on  the  left  of  the  branch,  he  has  an  entry 
into  the  same  bed. 

Nat  Branch. — On  the  right,  4%  miles  up  Little 
Leatherwood.  Altitude  of  mouth,  1,145. 

At  the  head  of  the  branch,  % mile  up  it,  and  about 
the  same  distance  south  of  the  gap  with  trail  to  Bee- 
hive branch,  Mrs.  Shepard  has  a wet  entry,  giving,  un- 
der 5 feet  of  shale,  43  inches  of  coal,  including  8 inches 
in  water  and  not  seen,  at  altitude  1,740.  This  is  180 
feet  above  the  gap  with  trail  and  only  about  100  feet 
below  the  summit  of  the  hill,  and  it  has,  therefore,  very 
little  area  on  this  branch. 


Fire-clay  Coal  Bed. 


Shale  2 ft. 

Coal  (reported)  26" 

Altitude,  1310. 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River  361 

Allowing  for  a slight  rise  of  strata  from  the  near- 
est Fire-clay  coal  openings  on  Little  Leatlierwood  and 
on  Owen  branch  brings  this  coal  into  the  horizon  of  the 
Francis  bed  (a  bed  not  known  to  be  workable  south  of 
Carr  fork),  but  it  is  more  likely  that  a greater  rise  oc- 
curs, in  which  case  this  is  the  Flag  bed,  or,  possibly, 
even  the  Hazard.  The  thickness  of  the  coal  is  rather 
indicative  of  the  latter. 

Thin  coal  on  the  left  of  Little  Leatherwood  at  the 
mouth  of  Seng  branch,  5%  miles  up  the  creek,  15  feet 
above  it,  is  about  on  the  level  of,  probably  a little  above, 
the  Amburgy  bed. 

Another  thin  coal,  probably  of  the  Wliitesburg  bed, 
has  been  taken  from  the  creek,  6%  miles  up  it,  in  front 
of  the  Joseph  Holcomb  house,  at  altitude  1,380.  Ten- 
feet  of  shale  overlie  and  15  feet  underlie  the  coal,  as 
shown  in  the  creek  bank  below  the  pit  from  which  the 
coal  was  taken. 

In  the  creek  at  its  head,  7 miles  up  it,  on  the  right 
of  the  trail  to  the  head  of  Big  Leatherwood,  Mr.  Hol- 
comb has  a five-yard  entry  into  the  Fire-clay  coal,  giv- 
ing at  its  mouth  29  inches  of  coal  under  20  feet  of  sand- 
stone. The  coal  has  the  usual  excellent  appearance  of 
this  bed,  except  that  3 or  4 inches,  9 inches  from  the 
bottom,  is  somewhat  slaty.  The  altitude  obtained  is 
1,495. 

Coal  is  reported  at  a spring  on  the  ridge  to  the 
right  of  the  entry  at  altitude  1,670,  evidently  of  the 
Haddix  bed.  The  interval  from  this  down  to  the  Fire- 
clay coal,  175  feet,  is  rather  small,  and  from  that  to 
the  bed  below,  115  feet,  too  large  for  the  Wliitesburg 
bed.  It  is  probable  that  the  actual  altitude  of  the  Fire- 
clay coal  at  the  entry  is  about  1,450  or  1,460,  instead  of 
1,495  as  obtained. 

Coal  has  been  opened,  but  apparently  it  is  thin, 
above  the  spring,  at  altitude  1,720,  the  Hazard  coal. 
The  hilltop  here  is  but  little  over  100  feet  high,  but  a 
considerable  area  of  this  coal  lies  in  the  vicinity. 


362  North  Fork  of  Kentucky  Eiyer 

HICKS  BRANCH. 

On  the  right,  1 miles  up  Leatherwood  creek.  Alti- 
tude of  mouth,  944. 

On  the  left,  y8  mile  up  this  branch,  Manning  Cor-1' 
nett  has  a closed  entry  into  the  Fire-clay  coal,  with 
covering  similar  to  those  on  either  side  of  Campbell 
branch.  The  full  section  obtained  at  the  mouth  of  the 
entry  is : 

Fire-clay  Ccal. 


Thin-bedded  sandstone. 

Dark  shale  5 ft. 

Dark  shale  with  concretions  1 y2  ft. 

Black  slate  .....10" 

Brown  clay  8" 

Coal  20" 

Flint  fire-clay  4" 

Shale  3" 

Coal  5" 

Shale  4" 

Coal  ,....13" 

Altitude,  1185. 


The  roof  of  this  entry  is  extremely  bad. 

Eight  Fork. — On  the  right,  % mile  up  Hicks 
branch.  Altitude  of  mouth,  955. 

On  the  right  at  the  mouth  of  the  branch,  the  Am- 
burgy  bed,  under  5 feet  of  shale,  gives  20  inches  of 
coal  at  altitude  965. 

On  the  left,  l1/^  miles  up  the  Right  fork,  and  by  it, 
the  following  section  is  exposed : 


Fire-clay  Coal. 

Sandstone. 

Shale  r 10  ft. 

Black  shale  with  calcareous  concretions 10  ft. 

Coal  6" 

Altitude,  1120. 


The  concretions  over  the  coal  determine  this  as  of 
the  Fire-clay  coal  bed,  but  it  is  probable  that  more  coal 
lies  under  the  6 inches  in  the  stream. 

On  the  right,  l1/^  miles  up  the  fork,  an  opening  has 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


363 


been  made  into  the  Fire-clay  coal  rider,  under  sliale  and 
apparently  thin,  at  altitude  1,150. 

Left  Fork— On  the  left,  % mile  up  Hicks  branch. 
Altitude  of  mouth,  955. 

In  this  fork  a thin  coal  shows  under  black  slate  at 
altitude  1,005.  Strata  rising’  quite  rapidly  here,  it  ap- 
pears to  be  too  low  for  the  Whitesburg  bed. 

On  the  right,  % mile  up  the  fork,  a prospect  into 
the  Fire-clay  coal  bed  gives  the  following  section,  the 
correlation  determined  by  the  strata  exposed  over  the 
coal,  duplicating  that  over  the  Manning  Cornett  entry 
on  Hicks  branch. 


Fire-clay  Coal. 


Thin-bedded  sandstone. 

Dark  shale  5 ft. 

Dark  shale  with  concretions  1 ft. 

Black  slate  6" 

Brown  clay  4" 

Coal  and  shale  28" 

Altitude,  1160. 


The  coal  bed  consists  of  28  inches  of  coal  and  4 or 
5 partings,  the  bottom  6 inches  hidden  in  water. 

On  the  left,  1 mile  up  the  fork,  and  on  the  left  of  the 
road,  a wet  entry  gives,  at  its  mouth,  the  following: 

Fire-clay  Coal. 

Sandstone  5 ft. 

Shale  3y2  ft. 

Coal  i/2" 

Shale  iy2  ft. 

Coal  36" 

Flint  fire-clay 

Altitude,  1205. 

The  bottom  6 inches  of  the  coal  was  covered  and 
not  seen. 

On  the  left  of  the  fork  at  its  head,  1 % miles  up,  the 
Riverside  Coal  Company  has  a wet  entry  giving  the 
section  following: 


364 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


Haddix  Coai. 

Sandstone  6 ft. 

Cannel  slate  ....8  to  10" 

Shale  5" 

Coal  41" 

Altitude,  1505. 

The  bottom  foot  was  in  water  and  not  seen.  The 
bench  of  the  Hazard  coal  lies  about  50  feet  higher. 

On  the  right  of  Leatlierwood  creek,  2 miles  np,  be- 
tween the  road  and  Arch  Cornett’s  house,  the  upper 
one  of  the  two  thin  coals  at  the  mouth  of  the  creek 
shows  under  15  feet  of  sandstone.  It  is  14  inches  thick 
and  its  altitude  is  1,020. 

DEEP  HOLE  BRANCH. 

On  the  left,  2%  miles  up  Leatlierwood.  Altitude  of 
mouth,  965. 

On  the  left,  % mile  up,  coal  10  inches  thick  under 
20  feet  of  sandstone,  with  2 feet  of  black  slate  between 
them,  lies  at  altitude  1,020. 

Coal  taken  from  the  branch,  % mile  up  it,  under  10 
feet  of  shale,  probably  of  the  same  bed  as  the  two  next 
preceding  exposures,  lies  at  altitude  1,065. 

From  the  forks,  % mile  up  the  branch,  on  the  left, 
y2  mile  up  the  right  fork  is  Arch  Cornett’s  wet  entry 
with  the  section  following: 

Fireclay  Coal. 


Sandstone  8 ft. 

Shale  iy2  ft. 

Coal  5" 

Clay  5 ft. 

Coal  (about)  27" 


Altitude,  1295. 

Water  in  the  entry  prevented  accurate  measure- 
ment. In  this  opening  the  covering  similar  to  that  of 
the  Fire-clay  coal  opening  one  mile  up  the  Left  fork  of 
Hicks  branch,  gives  the  correlation. 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


365 


At  the  month  of  a right  branch,  2%  miles  tip 
Leatlierwood,  the  same  bed  as  that  exposed  along  the 
creek  below  has  10  inches  of  coal  at  altitude  995,  under 
sandstone. 

PUNCHEON  CAMP  BRANCH. 

On  the  right,  3%  miles  np  Leatlierwood.  Altitude 
of  mouth,  990. 

On  the  right  of  the  branch  at  its  mouth,  the  same 
small  bed  appears  again,  under  6 feet  of  sandstone,  with 
16  inches  of  coal  and  2 inches  of  shale  one  inch  below 
the  top,  at  altitude  1,010. 

From  the  forks,  % mile  up  the  branch,  on  the  left, 
y8  mile  up  the  left  fork,  Mrs.  Ison  has  an  entry  into  a 
coal  bed  3 feet  thick,  two-thirds  covered  with  water 
and  under  15  feet  of  shale.  Its  altitude,  1,250,  seems 
to  be  too  high  for  the  Fire-clay  coal,  but  right  for  its 
rider. 

At  Henry  Singleton’s  4%  miles  up  Leatherwood, 
on  the  right,  % mile  up  a right  branch,  an  old  entry 
still  in  use,  gives  80  yards  in,  the  following  section: 

Fire-clay  Coal. 


Shale. 

Coal  7" 

Bituminous  shale  5" 

Coal  31" 

Flint  fire-clay  5" 

Altitude,  1245. 


There  is  no  coal  below  the  dark  flint  fire-clay  floor. 
The  parting  near  the  top  is  soft  and  can  be  made  avail- 
able as  a mining  seam.  The  roof  is  fairly  good. 

BEE  HIVE  BRANCH. 

On  the  left,  4%  miles  up  Leatherwood.  Altitude  of 
mouth,  f,005. 

An  old  opening  into  the  Amburgy  bed,  probably,  on 
the  left,  % mile  up  the  branch,  at  altitude  1,065,  gave 
thin  coal  directly  upon  sandstone.  On  the  left,  % mile 
up  the  branch,  the  same  bed,  at  altitude  1,090  shows  30 


366 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  Fiver 


feet  of  shale  above  it;  the  lower  third  of  the  exposure 
carries  small  lime  concretions.  On  the  right,  % miles 
up  the  branch,  at  its  level  and  opposite  the  mouth  of  a 
left  branch,  the  same  coal  is  exposed  16  inches  thick,  at 
altitude  1,095. 

One-eighth  mile  up  that  left  branch,  on  the  right, 
% mile  up  its  left  branch,  an  eight-yard  wet  entry  into 
the  Fire-clay  coal,  has  about  2 feet  of  coal  under  3 feet 
of  shaly  sandstone  and  is  at  altitude  1,330. 

On  the  right,  2 miles  up  Bee-liive  branch,  on  the 
way  to  Beech  Bock  branch,  the  Kentucky  Union  Land 
Co.  has  a ten-yard  entry  into  the  Fire-clay  coal  giving 
at  its  face  27  inches  of  coal  and  a black  slate  parting 
6 inches  thick,  almost  an  impure  coal,  one  inch  from  the 
bottom.  The  bed  here  has  sandstone  floor  and  roof  and 
is  at  altitude  1,390. 

The  same  bed  is  opened  on  the  left,  2%  miles  up  the 
branch,  with  coal  reported  2 y2  to  3 feet  thick. 

It  is  also  reported  that  the  Fire-clay  coal  has  been 
opened  in  several  other  places  farther  down  the  branch, 
but  always  with  less  than  2 % feet  of  coal. 

On  the  right,  at  the  forks,  2 % miles  up  the  branch, 
the  Hazard  (or  Haddix)  coal  has  been  opened,  but  is 
now  covered,  at  altitude  1,655. 

Directly  above  this  is  a fifteen-yard  wet  entry  of 
Kentucky  Union  Land  Company,  which,  not  under  good 
cover,  gave  the  following  bed  section  3 yards  in: 

Flag  (or  Hazard)  Bad. 

Shale  3 ft. 

Coal  34" 

Shale  3" 

Coal  3" 

Altitude,  1710. 

The  Hazard  (or  Haddix)  bed  has  another  opening  in 
the  point  of  the  hill  between  the  forks  at  this  same  place, 
now  nearly  covered,  but  showing  a bed  too  thin  to  work. 

OWENS  BLANCH. 

On  the  right,  5 miles  up  Leatherwood.  Altitude  of 
mouth,  1,015. 

On  the  right,  *4  mile  up  a left  branch,  % mile  up 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River  367 

Owens  branch,  Jack  Callahan  has  a long  entry  into  the 
Fire-clay  coal.  Beneath  shale  roof,  it  has  42  inches  of 
coal  and  a 1-inch  shale  parting,.  7 inches  from  the  top, 
as  measured  3 yards  in.  The  bottom  half  of  the  bed,  in 
water,  was  not  seen.  Its  altitude  is  1,255. 

Right  Fork. — On  the  right,  % mile  up  Owens 
branch.  Altitude  of  mouth,  1,140. 

On  the  right  at  the  month  of  a right  branch,  % mile 
up  this  fork,  T.  G.  Campbell  lias  a ten-yard  entry  into 
the  Fif'g-clay  coal,  which,  under  5 feet  of  shale,  is  at 
the  face  ts  inches  thick,  including  1 inch  of  shale  part- 
ing 7 inches  from  the  top.  The  coal  is  all  moderately 
soft,  the  bottom  3 inches  said  to  be  particularly  good 
for  blacksmithing.  Its  altitude  is  1,275. 

On  the  right  at  the  head  of  the  fork,  1%  miles  up 
it,  beside  the  path  to  Macies  creek,  is  a five  yards  wet 
entry  into  a coal  bed  about  4%  feet  thick  with,  appar- 
ently, a parting  of  2 inches  about  5 inches  from  the  top. 
The  lower  6 inches  was  not  seen.  Over  the  bed  is  l1/^ 
feet  of  shale  and  then  massive  sandstone.  Its  altitude 
is  1,620.  This  is  115  feet  higher  than  the  opening  on 
the  head  of  Hicks  branch,  and,  assuming  what  is  prob- 
ably the  case,  that  strata  lie  nearly  level  between  the 
two,  this  is  of  the  Flag  bed. 

Left  Fork. — On  the  left,  % mile  up  Owens  branch. 
Altitude  of  mouth,  1,140. 

A thin  coal  under  10  feet  of  sandstone,  % mile  up 
this  fork  and  at  its  bed,  at  altitude  1,270,  probably 
represents  the  rider  to  the  Fire-clay  coal. 

On  the  left  at  the  head  of  the  fork,  one  mile  up  it, 
an  opening  has  been  made  into  a coal  bed  reported  9 
feet  thick  including  a thick  parting.  It  lies  at  altitude 
1,575,  but  is  now  so  covered  that  neither  coal  nor  roof 
is  visible.  It  is  not  much  more  than  a mile  from  the  re- 
ported thick  coal  of  Middle  fork  of  Macies  creek,  on  Old 
Rock  branch,  and  is  of  the  Hazard  bed. 

On  the  right  of  Leatherwood,  5%  miles  up  the 
Creek,  John  M.  Gilliam  has  a twelve-yard  entry  into  33 
inches  of  coal  measured  4 yards  in,  at  altitude  1,230. 
Two  inches  of  coal  in  the  middle  of  the  bed  are  slightly 
slaty,  but  the  rest  is  fine-looking,  rather  soft.  The  floor 


368 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


is  shale  and  5 feet  of  massive  sandstone  lies  on  the  coal. 
The  bed  is  close  to  the  level  of  the  Fire-clay  coal  and 
may  be  it,  notwithstanding  its  different  section  at  the 
first  opening  up  Beech  fork. 


BEECH  FORK. 

On  the  right  of  Leatherwood,  6 miles  up  the  creek. 
Altitude  of  mouth,  1,040. 

On  the  right,  % mile  up  this  fork  is  an  eight-yard 
entry,  which,  measured  half  way  in,  gives  the  following 
bed  section: 


Fire.clay  Ccal. 


Shale  

Coal  — 

Black  shale  .... 

Coal  

Shale  

Coal  

Shale  

Coal  

Flint  fire-clay. 
Altitude,  1220. 


10  ft. 

2 to  4" 

24" 

8" 

1" 

5" 

17" 

12" 


In  a left  branch,  1%  miles  up  Beech  fork,  and  14 
mile  up  the  branch,  20  to  24  inches  of  coal  shows  at  alti- 
tude, 1,205.  This  is  of  the  Fire-clay  coal  bed,  having 
here  sandstone  close  below  it  and  above  it,  mostly,  to  a 
bench  some  50  feet  higher. 

On  the  right  of  a left  branch,  as  its  mouth,  1%  miles 
up  Beech  fork,  the  Fire-clay  coal  is  again  under  5 feet 
of  shale,  and  has  39  inches  or  more  of  coal  and  a shale 
parting  of  6 inches,  12  inches  from  the  top.  The  bottom 
6 inches  was  not  seen.  Its  altitude  is  1,230. 

This  same  bed  is  opened  on  the  left,  2 y2  miles  up 
Beech  fork,  in  the  Callahan  entries,  one  long  and  closed, 
and  one  twelve-yard  entry  adjoining,  from  the  face  of 
which  were  taken  the  measurements  following  and  my 
sample  of  the  coal,  analyzed  for  the  Survey  with  the 
following  results: 


369 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 

Fire-clay  Ccal. 

Shale  and  sandstone. 


Coal  7" 

Shale  1" 

Coal  30" 


Altitude,  1230. 


Analysis. 


Moisture  1.80 

Volatile  combustible  matter  38.66 

Fixed  carbon  53.84 

Ash  (brown)  5.70 


100.00 

Sulphur  0.69 

Coke  59.54 

B.  T.  U 14,447 


The  coal  is  somewhat  soft,  excepting  an  inch  of 
bone,  included  in  the  sample,  lying  on  the  parting.  It 
has  an  irregular  fracture.  A hard  clay  forms  the  floor 
of  thu  entry  and  is  probably  a variation  of  the  char- 
acteristic parting. 

From  an  earlier  investigation  the  following  section 
was  obtained  in  this  vicinity: 


Section. 


Altitude. 


Hill  top 

Coal  stain Francis 

Limestone  iron  ore  

Coal  stain Hazard 

Coal 11" 

Coal 35" 

Clay,  coal  and  shale.. 18" 

Coal  8" 

Callahan  entry  coal  


1850 

bed  (?)  1690 

1630 

bed  (?)  1530 

in  sandstone  1330 

(6  partings  17 % in.).. ..1300 

I under  shale 1255 

\ 1230 


The  four  coals  of  the  lower  part  of  the  section,  be- 
cause of  their  proximity  and  varying  sections  and 
coverings,  somewhat  obscure  correlation,  but  there  is 
little  reason  to  doubt  that  the  lowest  one  is  of  the  Fire- 
clay coal  bed.  The  one  70  feet  higher  (at  1,300)  has 
been  considered,  in  some  instances  where  the  interval 


370  North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 

was  20  or  30  feet  less,  to  be  the  rider  to  that  bed,  but, 
with  the  thin  intermediate  coal  to  answer  for  the  rider, 
the  higher  coal  may  well  be  considered  of  the  Hamlin 
bed. 

No  openings  appear  to  have  been  made  on  the  high 
coals  of  Beech  fork,  and  one  may  only  conjecture  that 
the  coal  stains  found  in  that  section  are  of  the  Hazard 
and  Hindman  beds.  From  surrounding  openings  on 
other  streams  there  may  be  expected  here  two  other 
workable  beds  in  the  high  hill  examined. 

Other  exposures  on  this  stream  serve  merely  to 
give  the  dip  of  strata,  which  fall  rather  rapidly  from 
Bee-hive  branch  westward  to  the  mouth  of  Beech  fork, 
then  flatten  out  and  reverse  to  a slight  eastward  dip  a 
mile  or  two  up  the  fork. 

On  the  left,  2%  miles  up  Beech  fork,  a thin  coal,  the 
Fire-clay  coal  rider,  shows  under  5 feet  of  shale  at  alti- 
tude 1,280,  25  feet  above  the  creek,  where  the  main  bed 
probably  lies. 

Left  Fork. — On  the  left,  3 miles  up  Beech  fork.  Al- 
titude of  mouth,  1,300. 

On  the  left,  % mile  up  this  fork,  the  same  thin  coal 
shows  again  under  10  feet  of  shale  at  altitude  1,320. 

On  the  left,  % mile  up  the  fork,  the  coal  of  many 
partings  at  altitude  1,300  of  the  preceding  section  is  ap- 
parently only  8 inches  thick,  under  5 feet  of  shale  and 
then  sandstone,  at  altitude  1,360. 

On  the  right,  6%  miles  up  Leatherwood  creek,  the 
following  section  lias  been  opened: 

Altitude. 

Shale  5 ft. 

Coal  (with  1 in.  parting) 17" 1280 

Sandstone. 

Shale. 

Coal  (with  0 to  2 in.  parting). .17"  (Fire-clay  coal) ..1265 

The  lower  coal  seam  might  be  supposed  a slip  from 
the  upper,  but  that  the  solid  rock  is  exposed  between  the 
two.  The  upper  one  may  be  a part  of  the  Fire-clay  coal 
bed  or  its  rider.  Its  parting  is  shale  while  that  of  the 
lower  seam  is  sandstone. 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


371 


On  the  left  of  Leatherwood,  7 miles  up  it,  an  old 
prospect  gives  the  Fire-clay  coal  bed,  3V2  to  4 feet  thick 
with  no  parting  apparent,  under  5 feet  of  shale,  at  alti- 
tude 1,280. 


GRAVE  BRANCH. 

On  the  left,  7%  miles  up  Leatherwood.  Altitude  of 
mouth,  1,080. 

On  the  left,  % mile  up  the  branch,  is  exposed  in  a 
cliff  the  section  following: 

Gection. 


Sandstone  10  ft. 

Coal  12"  Altitude,  1165. 

Fire-clay. 

Sandstone  5 ft. 

Coal  6" 


Sandstone. 

On  the  right,  % mile  up  the  branch,  a prospect  cut, 
hardly  complete,  gives  the  following: 

Whitesburg  Coal. 


Shale  5 ft. 

Coal  24" 

Shale  (1  in.  coal) 6" 

Coal  21" 

Altitude,  1235. 


Above  this  last  opening  a former  visit  gave  the  fol- 
lowing— former  John  Couch  opening: 

Hazard  Bed. 

Shale. 


Coal  60" 

Clay  .12" 

Shale  6" 

Coal  12" 


Altitude,  1565. 

The  thickness  and  parting  here  are  strongly  indica- 
tive of  the  Hazard  bed,  and  assuming  the  Fire-clay  coal 
to  be  at  altitude  1,300,  conformity  with  the  usual  inter- 


372 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


vals  from  it  to  the  Whitesburg  and  Hazard  beds  is 
nearly  obtained.  From  the  Fire-clay  coal  opening  next 
below  the  branch  to  this  one  a slight  rise  in  continuation 
of  that  farther  down  the  creek  results,  and  the  interval 
to  the  Amburgy  bed  opened  on  Clover  fork  is  also  in 
agreement.  Here  is  the  best  opportunity  for  getting  in- 
tervals between  the  coals  which  the  present  development 
on  the  creek  affords. 

CLOVER  FORK. 

On  the  right,  7 14  miles  up  Leatlierwood  creek.  Alti- 
tude of  mouth,  l‘,085. 

On  the  left,  y8  mile  up  this  fork,  William  Gf.  Cor- 
nett has  a live-yard  wet  entry  with  the  following  sec- 
tion : 


Amburgy  Coal. 

Shaly  sandstone  5 ft. 

Coal  (with  parting)..  9" 

Shaly  sandstone  10  ft. 

Shale  5 ft. 

Coal  3 to  3 y2  ft. 

Altitude,  1095. 

The  main  coal  showed  no  parting  and  probably  ex- 
ceeds 3 feet  very  little. 

On  the  left,  50  yards  beyond  the  entry  and  50  feet 
higher,  altitude  1,145,  is  11  inches  of  coal  beneath  10 
feet  of  shaly  sandstone.  This  corresponds  to  one  of  the 
seams  of  coal  found  on  the  left  of  Grave  branch,  show- 
ing the  Amburgy  bed  to  be  there  at  about  altitude  1,115. 

On  the  left,  G4  mile  up  the  fork,  the  Fire-clay  coal 
has  been  opened  28  inches  thick,  under  5 feet  of  shale, 
and  then  sandstone  at  altitude  1,285. 

In  the  next  left  drain,  100  yards  farther  up  the  fork, 
32  inches  of  coal,  partly  splint  under  3 feet  of  sandstone, 
is  opened  at  altitude  1,390.  This  appears  to  correspond 
to  the  coal  found  70  feet  above  the  Fire-clay  coal  on 
Beech  fork  and  is  of  the  Hamlin  bed.  It  looks  well  here 
but  is  usually  without  value. 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


373 


Right  Fork. — On  the  right,  % mile  up  Clover  fork. 
Altitude  of  mouth,  1,140. 

At  the  mouth  of  Stone  Coal  branch,  y2  mile  up  this 
fork,  coal  is  taken  from  the  creek  and  from  the  branch, 
exposing  a considerable  length  of  outcrop  from  which  the 
following:  measurements  were  obtained: 

O 

Fire-clay  Coal. 


Sandstone. 

Coal  24" 

Flint  fire-clay 4 to  6" 

Shale  6" 

Sandstone. 


Altitude,  1215  to  1220. 

The  bed  rises  quite  sharply  here  up  stream  and 
against  the  prevailing  northwest  pitch,  which,  from  the 
mouth  of  Clover  fork  to  this  point,  amounts  to  nearly  100 
feet. 

Pebbles  in  quantity  have  been  found  1%  miles  up 
in  the  Right  fork,  which  seemed  to  have  come  from  a 
soft  sandstone  at  altitude  1,475.  They  have  been  found 
at  the  same  horizon  on  Trace  fork,  of  Cutsliin  creek. 

On  the  left  of  a left  branch,  1 y2  miles  up  the  Right 
fork,  % mile  up  the  branch,  coal  has  been  opened  to  a 
reported  thickness  of  3 feet  at  altitude  1,565.  It  lies 
upon  a small  cliff  and  is  of  the  Hazard  bed  or  close  be- 
neath it. 

On  the  left  of  a right  branch  at  its  mouth,  2 miles 
up  the  right  fork,  mile  from  the  divide  at  the  head 
of  Laurel  branch  of  Cutshin  creek,  a prospecting  cut, 
now  nearly  covered,  formerly  gave  the  following: 

Hazard  Coal. 


Shale  

8 ft. 

Coal  

54" 

Thin  parting. 

Coal  

12" 

Altitude,  1565. 

Across  the  divide,  on  Laurel  branch,  an  opening 
that  may  be  of  this  bed  but  probably  is  the  Flag,  has  coal 
66  inches  thick,  23  inches  of  which  is  cannel.  at  altitude 
1585.  The  presence  of  cannel  coal  throws  doubt  on  the 


374 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


correlation  as  of  the  Hazard  bed  as  it  is  not  known  to 
have  it  elsewhere. 

Coal  has  been  taken  from  Clover  fork,  iys  miles 
up,  reported  2 feet  or  more  thick,  at  altitude  1,205.  This 
is  probably  of  the  Fire-clay  coal  bed. 

On  the  left,  and  right  of  path,  1%  miles  up  Clover 
fork,  an  incomplete  opening  gives,  under  earth  cover- 
ing, 31  inches  of  coal,  partly  splint,  at  altitude  1,330. 
This  is  the  Hamlin  coal  bed. 

On  the  left,  1%  miles  up  Clover  fork,  the  following 
section  is  exposed: 

Section. 

Shale  

Coal  

Shale  

Coal  

Shale  

Coal  

Altitude,  1350 

On  the  left,  1%  miles  up  Clover  fork,  on  the  right 
of  Indian  Grave  branch  at  its  mouth,  2 feet  of  coal  is 
exposed  on  a cliff-rock  at  altitude  1,575.  Ten  feet  above 
this  exposure  is  an  old  opening  with  coal  now  covered, 
but  workable  thickness  is  indicated.  This  is  not  over 
275  feet  above  the  Fire-clay  coal  and  is  of  the  Hazard 
bed. 

On  the  right  of  Lick  branch  at  its  mouth,  3%  miles 
up  Clover  fork,  on  land  of  the  Kentucky  Union  Land 
Company,  the  following  section  is  opened: 


.10  ft. 
. 3" 

. 4" 

1" 

3 ft. 
8" 


Hazard  Coal. 

Shale  3 ft. 

Coal  50" 

Covered  10  ft. 

Coal  2 to  2y2  ft. 

Altitude  of  lower  coal,  1615. 

The  thin  coal  under  the  main  bed  establishes  cor- 
relation with  the  coal  on  Indian  Grave  branch. 

On  the  left,  7%  miles  up  Leatherwood  creek,  5 feet 
above  it,  coal  has  been  opened  in  several  entries  giving 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


375 


about  36  inclies  of  coal,  one  entry  only  showing  a part- 
ing hardly  an  inch  thick.  These  are  in  the  Amburgy 
bed  at  altitude  1,110.  The  down  stream  dip  in  evidence 
there  is  sufficiently  rapid  to  carry  the  bed  below  the 
creek  before  reaching  Clover  fork,  but  the  opening  into 
the  bed  on  that  fork  and  evidence  on  Grave  branch  prove1 
the  rapid  dip  to  be  of  shoi  i continuance.  Farther  up 
Leatlierwood  the  bed  must  go  below  the  creek  very 
quickly. 


LYNN  BRANCH. 

On  the  right,  8%  miles  up  Leatlierwood.  Altitude 
of  mouth,  1,115. 

One-half  mile  up  this  branch  it  forks. 

On  the  right,  at  the  mouth  of  a left  branch,  iy2  miles 
up  the  Right  fork,  a prospect  into  the  Hazard  bed  gave 
51  inches  of  coal  (8  inches  in  water,  not  seen)  with  earth 
covering.  About  4 inches  of  this  is  splint  coal  and  the 
rest  good  block.  Its  altitude  is  1,545.  The  ridge  between 
this  iork  and  the  left  fork  is  over  200  feet  higher,  giv- 
ing abundant  area. 

The  Left  fork  divides  into  two  forks,  l1/^  miles  up  it. 
On  the  right  at  the  mouth  of  a left  branch,  % mile  up 
the  second  left  fork,  the  following  has  been  opened : 


Hazard  Coal. 


Shaly  sandstone  4 ft. 

Shale  4 ft. 

Coal  44" 

Slaty  coal  8" 

Coal  8" 

Altitude,  1615. 


The  lower  7 inches  in  water,  was  not  seen.  The 
slaty  coal  is  not  very  bad,  but  that  with  three  thin 
streaks  of  bone  coal,  apparently  not  continuous,  may 
mar  considerably  the  quality  of  the  coal.  These  two  open- 
ings and  most  of  the  land  on  the  two  forks  belong  to 
the  Kentucky  Union  Land  Company. 


376 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


OLDHOUSE  BRANCH. 

On  the  right,  8%  miles  up  Leatherwood.  Altitude  of 
mouth,  1,155. 

On  the  right  of  a small  right  branch  at  its  mouth, 
y2  mile  up  Oldhouse,  on  J.  B.  C.  Cornett  land,  the  top 
of  an  old  opening  showed: 

Fire-clay  Coal  Rider. 


Shale  and  clay 10  ft. 

Coal  14" 

Shale  10" 

Coal  5" 

Shale  2 ft. 

Altitude,  1280. 


Some  4 to  6 feet  of  the  opening  below  was  cov- 
ered, but  in  a private  report  to  the  Tennis  Coal  Com- 
pany there  is  stated  to  be  there  46  inches  of  tine  bright 
coal  (more  or  less  of  it  soft  coking  coal).  The  thickness 
given  is  without  doubt  accurate,  and  the  bed  the  Fire-clay 
coal,  with  its  rider  still  visible  above  it. 

On  the  left  of  the  right  fork  of  Oldhouse  branch,  a 
mile  up  from  Leatherwood,  an  old  entry  with  the  bottom 
coal  formerly  covered  still  had  visible  3 to  3%  feet  of 
coal  with  shaly  sandstone  roof.  This,  at  altitude  1,625, 
is  probably  of  the  Hazard  bed,  the  height  above  the 
Fire-clay  coal  down  the  branch  being  increased  by  an 
upstream  rise  of  strata,  but  may  be  of  the  Flag. 

On  the  left  of  the  left  fork,  1 y2  miles  from  Leather- 
wood,  William  Shepard  had  a small  entry  into  the  same 
bed  with  section,  and  analysis  by  Hr.  Peter,  of  my  out- 
crop sample  of  the  best  of  the  coal  following: 

Hazard  (or  Flag)  Coal. 

Sandstone. 


Coal  62" 

Shale  1" 

Coal  2" 

Shale  1" 

Coal  2" 

Shale  2" 

Coal  4" 


Altitude,  1640. 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


377 


Analysis. 


Moisture  1-40 

Volatile  combustible  matter  28.60 

Fixed  carbon  58.00 

Ash  (very  light  gray)  12.00 


100.00 

Sulphur  0.958 

Specific  gravity  1.362 

Coke  Dense 


“A  weathered  sample  of  wliat  appear  to  be  bitu- 
minous and  splint  coals,  which  seem  to  be  pretty  pure.” 

The  sample  was  taken  from  the  lower  45  inches  of 
the  62-incli  seam,  the  upper  17  inches  being  too  unsound 
for  sampling  at  the  time  the  sample  was  taken.  The  re- 
port, just  quoted,  to  the  Tennis  Coal  Company  states 
that  at  no  time  in  mining  was  more  than  46  inches  of 
coal  used,  the  alternate  coal  and  shale  at  the  bottom 
providing  a mining  seam.  The  46  inches  of  solid  coal 
underground,  which  may  be  considered  the  true  thick- 
ness, is  a tine,  bright  coal,  partly  splint,  which  is  evi- 
dently much  purer  than  the  high  ash  of  the  analysis 
gives  for  the  outcrop  coal. 

The  succession  of  openings  near  the  heads  of  Lynn 
and  Oldliouse  branches  give  the  impression  of  their 
being  in  one  coal  bed,  which  is  probably  correct,  the 
change  of  the  Oldliouse  openings  to  sandstone  roof  con- 
forming to  that  condition  of  the  Hazard  bed  farther  up 
the  creek,  but  each  of  these  Oldliouse  openings  is  20  to 
30  feet  below  a prominent  bench,  a condition  not  usual 
with  the  Hazard  bed  and  throwing  doubt  on  the  correla- 
tion. 


STONY  FORK. 

On  the  right,  9 miles  up  Leatherwood  creek.  Alti- 
tude of  mouth,  1,165. 

On  the  left,  % mile  up  the  fork,  there  is  exposed  in 
a cliff  at  water  level,  9 inches  of  coal  with  3 inches  of 
black  slate  parting  in  the  middle,  at  altitude  1,190,  under 
5 feet  cf  shale  and  then  20  feet  of  sandstone. 


378 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  Kiver 


Baker  (formerly  Smith)  Branch. — On  the  right,  % 
mile  up  Stony  fork.  Altitude  of  mouth,  1,255. 

In  a left  drain.  1 mile  up  this  branch,  the  Flag  bed 
has  been  opened  with  42  inches  of  splint  coal  without 
parting,  a sandstone  roof  and  altitude  of  1,705. 


On  the  right,  % mile  up  Stony  fork,  20  feet  above 
it,  are  the  Friley  Browning  openings  into  the  Fire-clay 
ccal.  In  the  20  yards  exposure,  partly  mined  under 
roof,  there  is  little  variation  in  the  upper  coal  seams 
and  partings,  but  the  bottom  seam  of  coal  varies  from 
30  to  41  inches  in  thickness,  and  in  character  from  splint 
and  block  coal  to  the  same  and  slickenseit. 

Following  is  the  bed  section  as  measured  at  two 
places,  and  analyses  of  my  sample  of  the  bottom  bench 
of  this  coal  and  of  a specimen  of  the  slickenseit,  as  de- 
termined by  Dr.  Peter: 


Fireclay  Ccal. 


Shale  

Coal  

Shale  

Coal  

Shale  

Coal  

Shale  

Coal  

Altitude,  1285. 


14  ft. 
. 7".... 
. 1".... 
. 6".... 
. 4"  ... 
. 5".... 
. 3"... 
.41".... 


6" 

2" 

6" 

6" 

5" 

5" 


30" 


Analyses. 

Lower  Bench. 

Slickenseit. 

Moisture  

1.40 

1.44 

Volatile  combustible 

matter 28.20 

38.06 

Fixed  carbon  

53.90 

54.90 

Ash  

16.50 

5.60 

100.00 

100.00 

Sulphur  

0.978 

0.972 

Specific  gravity  

1.799 

1.276 

Coke  

Dense 

Dense 

Ash  

Very  light  gray. 

Nearly  white 

North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


379 


Lower  Bench. — Though  taken  from  a muddy  out- 
crop, Dr.  Peter  reports  of  this  coal:  “A  pretty  pure- 
looking  sample.  Breaking  into  thin  irregular  laminae, 
with  some  fibrous  coal  apparent,  but  no  pyrites  visible.” 
The  excessive  ash  cannot  all  be  attributed  to  adhering 
mud,  nor  does  a late  view  of  the  bed  indicate  a poor 
coal 

Slickenseit. — “Pitch-black,  pure-looking  coal.  Frac- 
ture irregular.  No  fibrous  coal  or  pyrite  apparent.” 

It  is  worth  noting  that  strata  lie  nearly  level  along 
Leatherwood  creek  from  Grave  branch  to  this  point,  as 
shown  by  openings  of  the  Fire-clay  coal  bed. 

What  is  perhaps  the  Hamlin  coal,  105  feet  above  the 
Fii  e-clay  coal,  on  Clover  fork,  has  been  opened  165  feet 
above  the  Browning  entries  with  section  as  follows : 


Sandstone. 

Cannel  coal  9" 

Shale  and  ore  ..  .13" 

Cannel  coal  7" 

Clay  7" 

Coal  12" 

Black  slate  3" 


Altitude,  1450. 

It  is  possible  that  this  is  of  the  Haddix  bed,  with  in- 
terval to  the  Fire-clay  coal  actually  somewhat  greater 
than  the  difference  in  height  of  the  two  openings  in- 
dicates. 

On  the  left,  2 miles  up  Stony  fork,  on  the  road  to 
Line  fork,  behind  James  Morgan’s  house,  the  Hazard 
bed  is  opened  in  a nine-yard  entry  with  about  50  inches 
of  coal,  the  lower  9 inches  in  water  when  visited,  at  alti- 
tude 1,685.  Splint  and  block  coal  were  found  there, 
some  with  irregular  cleavage. 

Along  the  creek  for  a quarter-mile  above  the  Brown- 
ing openings  strata  lie  nearly  level,  but  above  the  forks 
of  Stony  fork,  on  the  road  to  Line  fork,  cliffs  show  a 
marked  up-stream  rise.  The  Haddix  coal  lies  probably 
between  the  two  most  prominent  cliffs. 

On  the  left,  2%  miles  up  the  same  fork  is  an  entry 
into  the  Hazard  bed  probably,  but  possibly  the  Flag, 
under  3 feet  of  shale,  with  52  inches  or  more  of  coal, 
the  lower  4 inches  in  water,  at  altitude  1,715. 


380 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


The  road  gap  to  Line  fork  is  over  200  feet  above 
this  coal  and  Kentucky  ridge  rises  to  a height  of  some 
600  feet  above  the  coal,  giving  it  a large  area  in  this 
ridge. 

An  old  prospect  by  the  road  on  the  Line  fork  side 
into  the  same  bed  as  the  next  preceding,  indicates  about 
4 feet  of  coal.  The  Haddix  (or  Hazard)  coal  shows  a 
thin  outcrop,  50  feet  under  it. 

On  the  left,  9%  miles  np  Leatherwood  creek,  y2  mile 
above  Stony  fork,  the  following  section  is  exposed  at 
the  creek,  showing  a slight  southwesterly  dip  to  the 
similar  exposure,  % mile  up  Stony  fork : 


Section. 


Thin-bedded  sandstone. 

Sandy  shale  

Coal  

Black  shale  

Splint  coal  __ 

Fire-clay. 

Shaly  sandstone  and  shale  to  creek. 


4 ft. 


15  ft. 


Altitude,  1200. 


An  old  opening  directly  above  this  exposure  is  said 
to  have  the  flint  fire-clay  at  the  bottom.  An  earlier  visit 
gave  the  following  section: 


Fireclay  Ccal. 

Sandstone. 

Coal  6 ' 

Shale  20  ft. 

Cannel  coal  16" 

Shale  3" 

Coal  3" 

Shale  10" 

Clay  6" 

Thin-bedded  sandstone. 
Altitude,  1280. 


This  is,  doubtless,  of  the  Fire-clay  coal  bed,  though 
the  clay  at  the  bottom  does  not  appear  to  be  flint  clay. 
Its  altitude  is  strong  proof  of  the  correlation. 


North  Pork  of  Kentucky  River 


381 


BEECH  ROCK  BRANCH. 

On  the  left,  10%  miles  up  Leatherwood.  Altitude  of 
mouth,  1,330. 

The  following  section  was  taken  mostly  in  the  bed 
of  the  branch,  % to  % mile  up  it: 


Section. 


Massive  sandstone  (somewhat  argillaceous) . 20  ft. 


Shale  8" 

Coal  3" 

Shale  with  small  concretions  to  2 y2  ft. 

Coal  18" 

Coal,  clay  and  bituminous  shale  2 to  3 ft. 

Clay  4 ft. 

Shaly  sandstone  (concretionary  boulders  in 

the  middle)  45  ft. 

Covered  5 ft. 

Sandy  shale  (with  small  concretions)  3 ft. 

Covered  4 ft. 

Shaly  sandstone  3 ft. 

Bastard  limestone  3 ft. 

Shaly  sandstone  2 ft. 

Shale  5 ft. 

Coal  12" 

Shale  1" 

Coal  6" 


Altitude,  1470. 


Altitude,  1400. 


These  coals  appear  to  be  of  the  Hamlin  bed  and 
Pire-clay  coal  rider. 

On  the  right,  11%  miles  up  Leatherwood,  George 
Minyard  has  a ten-yard  wet  entry  into  the  Flag  bed 
showing  about  4 feet  of  coal,  6 inches  in  water,  at  alti- 
tude 1,785. 


BARK-CAMP  BRANCH. 

On  the  right,  11%  miles  up  Leatherwood.  Altitude 
of  mouth,  1,430. 

Correlations  of  coals  on  this  branch  and  of  the  high 
coals  on  Stony  fork  are  not  yet  satisfactorily  determined 
although  special  effort  was  made  for  that  purpose.  The 
writer  now  believes  that  those  openings  formerly  ascrib- 
ed doubtfully  to  the  Haddix  and  Hazard  beds  are  of  the 
Hazard  and  Flag  beds  and  so  designates  them  now.  It 
has  been  questioned  if  they  may  not  be  of  still  higher 


382 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


beds,  but  this  seams  to  him  to  be  highly  improbable  and 
all  but  proven  not  to  be  the  case  by  the  openings  on  Bee 
Hive  branch  described  on  preceding  pages. 

This  in  spite  of  the  fact  that  it  involves  either  a 
break  or  considerable  anticline  along  Kentucky  ridge  in 
this  vicinity,  possibly  an  extension  of  the  “ adjustment 
fault ” extending  from  the  head  of  Line  fork  to  near  the 
beads  of  Jakes  and  Stony  forks.  (See  Series  IV.,  Vol.  IV., 
Part  1,  p.  14.)  A large  increase  in  thickness  of  sand- 
stone over  the  Haddix  coal  is  also  indicated  in  the  report 
referred  to. 

On  the  left,  % mile  up  this  branch,  IV2  feet  of  coal 
of  the  rider,  at  altitude  1,470,  shows  under  20  feet  of 
shaly  sandstone. 

O11  the  right,  % mile  up  the  branch,  John  Horn  has 
a prospect  cut  into  the  Flag  bed  driven  to  solid  cover, 
showing  49  inches  of  good  splint  and  block  coal,  the  lower 
18  inches  probably  splint,  under  6 feet  of  shale  with 
20  feet  of  massive  sandstone  on  that.  The  altitude  of  the 
opening  is  1,800.  A 30-foot  cliff  is  exposed  10  feet  be- 
low the  opening  and  the  top  of  a more  prominent  one  is 
80  feet  below  the  coal. 

On  the  left,  % mile  up  the  branch,  at  its  level,  an 
entry  is  driven  into  a coal  bed  showing  2%  feet  of  coal 
including  two  thin  partings.  Its  altitude  is  1,505.  Here 
the  coal  is  in  part  slickenseit  as  in  the  Fire-clay  coal 
of  Stony  fork.  The  bed  is  probably  the  rider. 

On  the  right,  % m^e  llP  the  branch,  L.  Shepard  has 
a new  opening  giving  the  following  bed  section: 

Hazard  Coal. 

Earth. 

Coal  

Clay  

Coal  

Clay  

Coal  

Altitude,  1760. 

Carbonate  iron  ore  lies  about  15  feet  below  the 
coal,  a not  uncommon  occurrence  under  the  Hazard  bed. 

An  attempt  was  made  to  open  the  same  bed  011  the 
opposite  side  of  the  branch,  but  failed  of  getting  satis- 


.54" 
li" 
. i" 
. 4" 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


383 


factory  thickness,  probably  because  of  broken  rock  in 
the  way. 

On  the  right,  1 mile  up  the  branch,  E.  R.  Whittaker 
has  a twenty-five-yard  entry  giving  the  section  follow- 
ing: 


Hazard  Coal. 


Shale  10  ft. 

Coal  8" 

Shale  iy2  ft. 

Coal  (about)  79" 


Altitude,  1775. 


About  2 feet  of  coal  in  the  bottom  is  not  used. 
Some  of  it  is  slickenseit  and  it  is  said  not  to  be  suitable 
for  welding.  The  upper  part  of  the  two  feet  seemed  to 
be  a sort  of  rash  coal,  but  with  1 % feet  of  water  at  the 
mouth  of  the  entry  it  was  not  fully  investigated. 

On  the  right,  1%  miles  up  the  branch,  Eli  Whit- 
taker has  a closed  entry  into  the  Hazard  bed,  75  feet 
above  the  branch,  showing,  under  sandstone,  about  3 
feet  of  coal,  including  one  foot  under  water,  at  altitude 
1,790.  An  opening  on  the  left  of  the  branch  is  entirely 
closed. 

The  gap  to  Long  branch,  of  Line  fork,  is  2 miles  up 
Bark-Camp  branch,  and  its  altitude  is  1,974,  giving  over 
100  feet  of  covering  to  the  Flag  bed,  and  several  hun- 
dred feet  more  on  Kentucky  ridge  away  from  the  gap. 

The  Haddix  (?)  coal  is  opened  1%  miles  down  Long 
branch,  under  5 feet  of  shale,  with  coal  reported  9 feet 
thick  including  three  partings  aggregating  16  inches.  Its 
altitude  is  1,592.  An  entry  into  the  Fire-clay  coal,  1% 
miles  down  Long  branch,  gives  about  3 feet  of  coal  with 
fiint  clay  parting,  200  feet  below  the  Haddix  opening. 

On  the  left,  11%  miles  up  Leatherwood  creek,  % 
mile  above  Bark-Camp  branch,  is  exposed  the  following, 
the  coal  being  probably  the  rider: 


384 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


Sandstone. 

Shale  10  ft. 

Coal  and  thin  parting  1%  ft. 
Shale  (to  creek 

level)  25  ft. 

Altitude,  1465. 


On  the  right,  11 % miles  up  Leatherwoocl,  W.  R. 
Shepard  has  a wet  entry  into  the  Flag  bed,  under  soft 
sandstone,  having  about  4 feet  of  coal,  at  altitude  1,805. 
A 20-foot  cliff  lies  immediately  below  it. 

From  this  point  the  same  rock  can  be  seen  in  a cliff 
across  the  creek,  and  below  it,  under  the  Haddix  (!)  coal 
another  line  of  cliffs  dipping  rapidly  down  stream 
from  the  mouth  of  Bark-Camp  branch,  while  above  that 
branch  it  lies  nearly  level,  possibly  with  a slight  up- 
stream dip.  The  top  of  the  cliff  under  the  Hazard  (!)  coal 
is  at  altitude  1,780,  in  the  vicinity  of  an  old  Hazard  coal 
opening,  on  a left  branch  13  miles  up  Leatherwood 
creek. 


ANALYSES. 


The  coals  from  the  following  mines  were  sampled 
and  analyzed  by  the  Kentucky  Geological  Survey  and 
the  United  States  Bureau  of  Mines  acting  in  co-opera- 
tion. The  analyses  were  made  in  the  laboratories  of  the 
Bureau  of  Mines. 

In  each  mine  the  coal  was  sampled  in  different 
parts  of  the  mine,  each  sample  analyzed  separately  and 
a composite  analysis  then  made  of  all  for  each  mine.  The 
results  are  given  on  the  following  pages,  the  composite 
analyses  giving  both  proximate  and  ultimate  analysis, 
for  the  coal  from  the  corresponding  mine. 

J.  B.  Hoeing. 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


386 


PERRY  COUNTY. 

No.  1-a. 


Laboratory  number 

Operator  

Mine  

Location  

Location  in  mine  ... 

Coal  

Date  of  sampling  . 
Date  of  analysis  ... 


21,350 

Ashless  Coal  Corporation 

Ashless 

Lothair 

Face  of  No.  2 main  entry 
...Fire-clay.  (Local  No.  4) 


.2-27-1915 

.3-23-1915 


Section  of  Mine. 


Feet  Inches 


Roof — Sandstone 

1 

40  | 

1 

Immediate  Roof — Sandy  slate 

1 

2 j 6 

1 

1.  Coal  

1 

....  1 10 

2.  Sulphur  streak  (local)  . 

1 

| 5 

3.  Coal  

1 i/~ 

4.  Mother  coal  

1 72 

5.  Coal  

2 | 2 

| 4 

6.  Hard  coal  (bony) 

7.  Coal  . . 

3 

Total  

1 

3 | 11% 

1 

! 

Floor — clay. 

Excluded  from  sample,  none. 

Analysis. 


1 Coal 

Air-dry  Loss,  2.0  Air 

Dried 

Coal  I Coal 
as  [Moisture 

Received  1 Free 

Coal 

Moisture 
and  Ash 
Free 

Proximate 

Analysis 

Moisture  | 1.85  | 3.81  J ] 

Volatile  matter  ..j  36.85  | 36.11  | 37.54  ] 

Fixed  carbon  | 57.20  | 56.06  | 58.28 

Ash  | 4.10  | 4.02  | 4.18 

III 



39.18 
| 60.82 

1 ioo.oo  | ioo.oo  | loo.oo  ; 

| 100.00 

1 1 l 1 

Sulphur  | 0.70  | 0.69  | 0.72  | 

1 1 1 

0.75 

1 

Calorific 

Value 

Determined 

Calories  | 7810  | 7654  | 7957  | 8304 

B.  T.  U | 14058  | 13777  | 14323  | 14947 

North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


387 


PERRY  COUNTY. 


Laboratory  number 

Operator  

Mine  

Location  

Location  in  mine 

Coal 

Date  of  sampling 

Date  of  analysis  

Depth  below  surface 


No.  1-b. 


21,352 

Ashless  Coal  Corporation 

Ashless 

Lothair 


Face  2nd  right  entry, 

550  feet  from  opening. 

Fire-clay.  (Local  No.  4) 

3-8-1915 

3-23-1915 

150  feet 


Section  of  Mine. 


Feet  Inches 


Roof — Sandstone  | 

i 

30  | 

1 

1 

Immediate  Roof — Sandstone 

1 

1 

1 

1.  Coal  | 

1 

1 | 

2 

2.  Hard  coal  

1 

1 

3.  Coal  

| 

2 

4.  Mother  coal  1 

y2 

5.  Coal  

ii 

6.  Hard  coal  ..  .. 

4 

7.  Coal  

9 

8.  Hard  coal  

1 

9.  Coal  

9 

Total  

4 

1 

3 y2 

Floor — flint  fire-clay. 

Excluded  from  sample,  none. 

Analysis. 


Air-dry 

• Less,  2 6 

Coal 

Air 

1 Dried 

Coal 

as 

Received 

Coal 

Moisture 

Free 

Coal 

Moisture 
and  Ash 
Free 

Moisture  

1 1 
1.68  1 

1 

4.20  1 

Volatile  matter  .. 

1 

| 36.72 

| 35.78  | 

37.35 

| 40.18 

Proximate 

Analysis 

Fixed  carbon  

| 54.68 

53.28  | 

55.61 

| 59.82 

Ash  

| 6.92 

6.74 

7.04 

1 

1 i 

I 

1 

1 

1 100.00  1 

| 100.00  I 

100.00 

j 100.00 

1 

Sulphur 

1 1 

0.65  | 

1 I 

1 

0.63  j 
1 

0.66  | 

1 

0.71 

1 

Calorific 

Value 

Calories  

1 

| 7570 

1 1 
| 7376  | 

7699 

1 

8282 

Determined 

B.  T.  U 

| 13626 

| 13277  | 

13858 

| 14908 

k.  R— 14. 


388 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


PERRY  COUNTY. 


Laboratory  number  . 

Operator  

Mine  

Location  

Location  in  mine  .... 

Coal  

Date  of  sampling  .... 

Date  of  analysis  

Depth  below  surface 


No.  1-c. 

21,351 

Ashless  Coal  Corporation 

Ashless 

Lothair 

Face  2nd  left  entry, 

500  feet  from  opening. 

Fire-clay.  (Local  No.  4) 

3-8-1915 

3-23-1915 

170  feet 


Section  of  Mine. 


Feet 

Inches 

Roof — Sandstone 

30 

Immediate  Roof — Sandstone 

1.  Coal  

1 

1 

2.  Hard  coal  

1 

3.  Coal  

2 

2 

4.  Hard  coal  

1 

5.  Coal  

7 

Total  

4 

0 

Floor — flint  fire-clay. 

Excluded  from  sample,  none. 

Analysis. 


Air-dry  Loss,  2.6 

Coal 

Aii- 

Dried 

Coal 

as 

Received 

Coal 

Moisture 

Free 

Coal 

Moisture 
and  Ash 
Free 

Proximate 

Analysis 

1 

Moisture  | 

Volatile  matter  ..| 

Fixed  carbon  j 

Ash  | 

1 

1 

I 

1.70  | 4.30 

37.55  | 36.56 

55.30  | 53.83 

5.45  | 5.31 

1 | 

1 

38.21  | 40.46 

56.24  | 59.54 

5.55  | 

1 | 

100.00  I 100.00 

100.00  I 100.00 

Sulphur 

1 

1 1 

0.75  I 0.73  | 

I 1 

1 

0.76  | 0.80 

1 

Calorific 

Value 

Determined 

1 I 

Calories  | 7716  | 7512 

B.  T.  U | 13889  | 13522 

i 

7849  | 8311 

14128  | 14960 

North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


389 


PERRY  COUNTY. 

No.  l-d. 


Laboratory  number  . 

Operator  

Mine  

Location  

Location  in  mine 

Coal  

Date  of  sampling  

Date  of  analysis  

Depth  below  surface 


21,349 

Ashless  Coal  Corporation 

Ashless 

Lothair 

Face  main  entry  No.  1 mine, 

700  feet  from  drift  mouth. 

Fire-clay.  (Local  No.  4) 

2-27-1915 

3-23-1915 

95  feet 


Section  of  Mine. 


Feet  Inches 


Roof — Sandstone 

j 20 

1 

Immediate  Roof — Gray  slate 

1 2 
1 

6 

1. 

2. 

Coal  

Mother  coal  

1 

1 1 

1 

2 

y2 

8 

4 

3. 

4. 

Coal  

Hard  coal  (bony) 

1 

1 2 

1 

5. 

Coal 

1 

1 

4 

1 

1 

Total  

4 

ey2 

Floor — fire-clay. 

Excluded  from  sample,  none. 

Analysis. 


Coal 

Air-dry  Loss,  2.3  Air 

Dried 

Coal 

as 

Received 

Coal 

Moisture 

Free 

| Coal 
Moisture 
and  Ash 
Free 

Proximate 

Analysis 

1 1 

Moisture  j 1.90  j 4.11 

Volatile  matter  ..|  37.15  | 36.31 

Fixed  carbon  56.08  | 54.82 

Ash  | 4.87  | 4.76 

1 | 

1 

37.87 

57.17 

4.96 

39.85 

60.15 

1 100.00  I 100.00 

100.00 

100.00 

Sulphur  | 0.62  | 0.61  j 

1 1 1 

1 

0.64 

0.67 

Calorific 

Value 

Determined 

! Ill 

Calories  .|  7758  j 7583 

B.  T.  U .....[  13964  | 13649 

| 7908 

| 14234  | 

8321 

14978 

390 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


PERRY  COUNTY. 

No.  1-e. 


Laboratory  number 

Operator  

Mine  

Location  

Coal  

Date  of  sampling  .. 
Date  of  analysis  .. 


21,353F 

(Composite  of  21,349-50-51-52.) 

Ashless  Coal  Corporation 

Ashless 

Lothair 

- Fire-clay.  (Local  No.  4) 


.2-27-1911 

.3-23-1915 


Analysis. 


Coal 

Air-dry  Loss,  2.4  Air 

Dried 

Coal 

as 

jReceived 

Coal 

Moisture 

Free 

| Coal 
Moisture 
and  Ash 
1 Free 

Proximate 

Analysis 

Moisture  | 1.84 

Volatile  matter  ..  37.49 

Fixed  carbon  55.30 

Ash  5.37  [ 

1 i 

4.16 
| 36.61 

53.99 
5.24 

38.20 

56.33 

5.47 

40.41 

59.59 

| 100.00  I 

100.00 

100.00 

100.00 

Ultimate 

Analysis 

1 1 

Hydrogen  | 5.40 

Carbon  | 78.34 

Nitrogen  1.74 

Oxygen  8.50 

Sulphur  | 0.65 

Ash  | 5.37 

n 

5.53 

76.49 

1.70 

10.41 

0.63 

5.24 

5.29 

79.81 

1.77 

7.00 

0.66 

5.47 

5.60 

84.43 

1.87 

7.40 

0.70 

Calorific 

Value 

Determined 

1 I 

Calories  | 7710  | 

B.  T.  U 13878 

7528 

13550 

7855 

14139 

8310 

14958 

Calorific  Value  j Calorles 

Calculated  From  uaAOries  | | 

Ultimate  Analysis  B.  T.  U | | 

7652  j 
13774  | 

North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


391 


PERRY  COUNTY. 

No.  2-a. 


Laboratory  number  21,354 

Operator  Douglass  Coal  Mining  Co. 

Mine  Douglass 

Location  Douglass 

Location  in  mine Face  of  room  4,  off  2nd  right  entry, 

500  feet  in. 

Coal  Fire-clay.  (Local  No.  4) 

Date  of  sampling  3-8-1915 

Date  of  analysis  3-20-1915 

Depth  below  surface  110  feet 


Section  of  Mine. 

Feet 

Inches 

Roof — Sandstone 

1 

| 30 

1 

1 

1 

■ 1 

Immediate  Roof — Sandstone 


2. 

Mother  coal  and  sulphur  mixed 

1 1 

1 I 

% 

10 

3. 

Coal  ....  

1 1 

I 

4. 

Hard  coal 

1 

| 1 

2 

5. 

Coal  

1 1 

i 1 

1 

1 ^ 
1 

Total  

1 2 

11 

1 

1 

Floor — flint  fire-clay. 
Excluded  from  sample,  none. 

1 

l 

i 

Analysis. 


Air-dry 

Loss,  1.9 

Coal 

Air 

Dried 

Coal 

as 

Received 

Coal 

Moisture 

Free 

Coal 

Moisture 
and  Ash 
Free 

1 

Moisture  1 

1 

1.85  1 

3.75 

1 

I 1 

1 

Proximate 

Analysis 

1 

Volatile  matter  .. 

! 36.95  | 

36.23 

1 

| 37.64  | 

39.28 

Fixed  carbon  

Ash  I 

| 57.10 

1 4.10  | 

1 

56.00 

4.02 

j 58.18 
1 4.18 

1 

| 60.72 

I 

1 



I 

I 

l 100.00  1 

100.00 

| 100.00 

! ioo.oo 

Sulphur 

1 

1 

0.67  | 
1 

0.66 

1 — — 1 

1 0.69  | 

1 1 

0.72 

Calorific 

Value 

1 Calories  ! 

1 

7838 

[ 7686 

1 

| 7986 

| 8334 

Determined 

B.  T.  U | 

14108 

[ 13835 

j 14375 

| 15001 

392 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


PERRY  COUNTY. 

No.  2-b. 


Laboratory  number 

Operator  

Mine  

Location  

Location  in  mine 

Coal  

Date  of  sampling  .... 
Date  of  analysis  .... 
Depth  below  surface 


21,355 

Douglass  Coal  Mining  Co. 

Douglass 

Douglass 

Face  of  2nd  entry  right, 

600  feet  in. 

Fire-clay.  (Local  No.  4) 

3-8-1915 

3-24-1915 

120  feet 


Section  of  Mine. 


Feet  Inches 


Roof — Sandstone 

i i 

1 1 

Immediate  Roof — Sandstone 

i i 

1. 

Coal  . ... 

1 

1 ... 

10 

2. 

Hard  coal  .. 

1 

2 

3. 

Coal  



10 

4. 

Hard  coal  .. 

1 

| 

2 

5. 

Coal  

| 

i 

10 

Total 

i 

..  ..  | 2 

10 

1 

i . i 

Floor — flint  fire-clay. 

Excluded  from  sample,  none. 

1 

| 

Analysis. 


Air-dry  Loss,  1.7 

Coal  Coal  Coal 

Air  as  Moisture 

| Dried  Received  Free 

Coal 

Moisture 
and  Ash 
Free 

Proximate 

Analysis 

Moisture  

Volatile  matter  .. 

Fixed  carbon  

Ash  

1.90  3.61  ] 

38.45  | 37.78  39.20  40.52 

56.45'  j 55.47  | 57.54  | 59.49 

3.20  3.14  | 3.26  | 

l | | 

100.00  1 100.00  I 100.00  1 100.00 

! 

Sulphur 

1 

1 1 1 1 

0.88  j 0.86  | 0.89  | 0.92 

I f 

Calorific 

Value 

Determined 

Calories  

B.  T.  U 

III! 

7934  | 7796  j 8088  j 8361 

14281  | 14033  | 14558  | 15050 

North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


393 


PERRY  COUNTY. 

No.  2-c. 


Laboratory  number 

Operator  

Mine  

Location  

Location  in  mine  

Coal  

Date  of  sampling  .... 

Date  of  analysis  

Depth  below  surface 


21,356 

Douglass  Coal  Mining  Co. 

Douglass 

Douglass 

Face  of  3rd  right  entry 

....Fire-clay.  (Local  No.  4) 

2-26-1915 

3-24-1915 

120  feet 


Section  of  Mine. 


Feet 

Inches 

Roof — Sandstone 

1 

20 

Immediate  Roof — Gray  Slate 

2 

1 

6 

1.  Coal  

3 

1 

3 

Total  

— 
1 3 



3 

Floor — flint  fire-clay. 

Excluded  from  sample,  none. 

1 

Analysis. 


Air-dry  Loss,  1.3 

Coal 

Air 

Dried 

Coal 

as 

Received 

Coal 

Moisture 

Free 

Coal 

Moisture 
and  Ash 
Free 

Proximate 

Analysis 

Moisture  

Volatile  matter  .. 

Fixed  carbon  

Ash  

1 

1 

2.05  | 3.29 

38.30  | 37.81 

56.80  56.09 

2.85  j 2.81 

1 

39.10 

57.99 

2.91 

40.27 

59.73 

100.00  100.00 

j 100.00 

100.00 

Sulphur 

1 

1 1 

0.66  0.65  | 

1 1 

1 

0.67  | 
1 

0.69 

Calorific 

Value 

Determined 

1 1 I 

Calories  j 7933  j 7832  j 8098 

B.  T.  U | 14279  | 1*4098  | 14576  | 

1 

8341 
| 15014 

North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


PERRY  COUNTY. 

No.  2-d. 


Laboratory  number 

Operator  

Mine  

Location  

Coal  

Date  of  sampling  ... 
Date  of  analysis  .... 


21,358F 

(Composite  of  21354-5-6-7.) 

Douglass  Coal  Mining  Co. 

Douglass 

Douglass 

Fire-clay.  (Local  No.  4) 

2-26-1915 

3-26-1915 


Analysis. 


Air-dry 

Loss,  1.7 

Coal 

Aii- 

Dried 

Coal 

as 

Received 

Coal 

Moisture 

Free 

1 Coal 
j Moisture 
and  Ash 
Free 

Moisture  | 

1.92 

! 3.61 

1 

Volatile  matter  ..I 

37.73 

| 37.08 

38.47 

| 39.87 

Proximate 

1 

Fixed  carbon  1 

56.91 

55.93 

58.02 

1 60.13 

Analysis 

1 

1 

Ash 

3.44 

3.38 

3.51 

I 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

100.00 

1 100.00 

100.00 

100.00 

1 

Hydrogen  | 

5.51 

1 1 
1 5.61 

5.41 

5.61 

Carbon  j 

80.16 

78.78 

81.73 

| 84.70 

Ultimate 

Nitrogen  1 

1.74 

1 171 

1.77 

1.83 

Analysis 

Oxygen  

8.43 

| 9.81 

| 6.84 

| 7.09 

Sulphur  | 

0.72 

| 0.71 

| 0.74 

| 0.77 

Ash  . 

3.44 

1 3.38  1 

3.51 

| 

1 

Calorific 

Value 

| 1 
Calories  | 

7904 

1 

| 7768 

j 8059 

i 

| 8352 

Determined 

B.  T.  U | 

14227 

13982 

14506 

| 15034 

Calorific  Value  1 Calories  j 

1 

7891 

1 1 

1 

Calculated  Prom  i 

TTlf  1 TY1  O f O A 1 tt  O 1 C . T T _ 

| 14204 

1 

ultimate  Analysis  i v 1 

North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


395 


PERRY  COUNTY. 

No.  3-a. 


Laboratory  number 

Operator  

Mine  

Location  

Location  in  mine 

Coal  

Date  of  sampling  

Date  of  analysis  

Depth  below  surface 


21,364 

Hazard  Mining  Co. 

. Hazard 

Hazard 

Face  of  3rd  right, 

1,800  feet  from  opening. 

Fire-clay.  (Local  No.  4) 

2-24-1915 

3-27-1915 

125  feet 


Section  of  Mine. 


Feet  Inches 


Roof — Sandstone 

1 

16 

1 

Immediate  Roof — Gray  Shale 

2 

6 

1 

1.  Coal  

2 

1 

0 

% 

0 

[ 

2.  Mother  coal  

3.  Coal  

1 

Total  

3 

0% 

Floor — flint  fire-clay. 
Excluded  from  sample,  none. 

Analysis. 


Air-dry  Loss,  1.9 

Coal  Coal 

Air  as 

Dried  Received 

Coal 

Moisture 

Free 

Coal 

Moisture 
and  Ash 
Free 

Proximate 

Analysis 

Moisture  

Volatile  matter  .. 

Fixed  carbon  

Ash  

1 

1.85  3.71 

38.05  | 37.33 

56.95  | 55.87 

3.15  | 3.09 

1 

38.77, 

58.02 

3.21 

1 

| 40.06 

59.94 

1 - 

1 

100.00  100.00 

100.00  I 

100.00 

Sulphur 

T 1 

0.66  | 0.65  | 

1 I 

1 

0.68  | 
1 

0.70 

Calorific 

Value 

Determined 

Calories  ' 

B.  T.  U | 

1 

7905  7756 

14229  | 13961 

8055 

14499 

8322 

14980 

396 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


PERRY  COUNTY. 

No.  3-b. 


Laboratory  number 

Operator  

Mine  

Location  

Location  in  mine  

Coal  

Date  of  sampling  .... 

Date  of  analysis  

Depth  below  surface 


21,365 

Hazard  Mining  Co. 
Hazard 


Hazard 


1,200  feet  from  opening. 


Face  of  1st  west, 


Fire-clay.  (Local  No.  4) 

3-24-1915 

3-27-1915 

125  feet 


Section  of  Mine. 


Feet 

Inches 

Roof — Sandstone 

i 

1 15 
1 

1 

Immediate  Roof — Gray  Shale 

1 

i 

1 2 

6 

1.  Coal  (all  clean)  

3 

1 

3 

1 

Total  

1 

3 

1 

3 

Floor — fire-clay. 

Excluded  from  sample,  none. 

Analysis. 


Air-dry  Loss,  1.5 

Coal 

Air 

Dried 

Coal 

as 

Received 

Coal 

Moisture 

Free 

Coal 

Moisture 
and  Ash 
Free 

Proximate 

Analysis 

l 

Moisture  

Volatile  matter  ..  | 

Fixed  carbon  | 

Ash  j 

1 

2.03  3.49 

38.07  | 37.50 

55.98  | 55.15 

3.92  | 3.86 

1 

| 38.86 

57.14 
4.00 

40.48 

59.52 

100.00  1 100.00 

100.00 

100.00 

1 1 1 

Sulphur  | 0.60  1 0.59  1 

1 1 1 

1 

0.61  | 

| 0.64 

Calorific 

Value 

Determined 

1 1 1 

, Calories  | 7837  7720  | 

B.  T.  U | 14107  | 13896  | 

7999  | 
14398  | 

8333 

14998 

North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


397 


PERRY  COUNTY. 


No.  3-c. 


Laboratory  number  21,366 

Operator  Hazard  Mining  Co. 

Mine  Hazard 

Location  Hazard 

Location  in  mine Face  of  2nd  right  entry, 

1,800  feet  from  mouth  of  mine. 

Coal  Fire-clay.  (Local  No.  4) 

Date  of  sampling 3-10-1915 

Date  of  analysis  3-27-1915 

Depth  below  surface 160  feet 


Section  of  Mine. 


Feet  Inches 


Roof — Sandstone 

j 30 

Immediate  Roof — Sandstone 

. - ......  i 

1. 

Coal  

i 

| 2 | 

6 

2. 

Hard  coal  

I 

2 

3. 

Coal  

1 

I 

1 6 

1 

1 

1 

Total  

1 3 

1 2 

Floor — flint  fire-clay. 
Excluded  from  sample,  none. 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

Analysis. 


Air-dry  Loss,  1.8 

Coal 

Air 

Dried 

Coal 

as 

Received 

Coal 

Moisture 

Free 

Coal 

Moisture 
and  Ash 
Free 

Proximate 

Analysis 

Moisture  

Volatile  matter  .. 

Fixed  carbon  

Ash  

1 

1 

1 1 
2.07  3.81 

37.48  | 36.81 

56.82  | 55.81 

3.63  | 3.57 

1 

38.27 

58.02 

3.71 

39.74 

60.26 

100.00  1 100.00 

100.00 

100.00 

Sulphur 

1 

1 

0.58  | 0.57 

1 

0.59  j 

! i 

1 0.61 

1 

Calorific 

Value 

Determined 

Calories  j 

B.  T.  U 

1 1 

7843  | 7703 

14117  | 13865 

1 

8008 
| 14414 

1 

| 8316 

14969 

398 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


PERRY  COUNTY. 

No.  3-d. 

Laboratory  number  21,367F 

(Composite  of  21364-5-6.) 

Operator  Hazard  Mining  Co. 

Mine  Hazard 

Location  Hazard 

Coal  * Fire-clay.  (Local  No.  4) 

Date  of  sampling  2-24-1915 

Date  of  analysis  ; 3-27-1915 


Analysis. 


Air-dry 


Proximate 

Analysis 


Loss,  1.7 

Coal 

Air 

Dried 

Coal 

as 

Received 

Coal 

Moisture 

Free 

1 

Moisture  1 

2.10 

H 

3.78 

I 1 

Volatile  matter  ..1 

37.55 

36.90 

38.34 

Fixed  carbon  1 

56.77 

55.80 

58.00 

Ash  | 

i 

3.58 

1 

3.52 

1 

3.66 

1 

1 

1 

100.00 

100.00 

100.00 

1 

Hydrogen  

5.46 

5.56 

5.34 

Carbon  

79.13 

| 77.77 

| 80.83 

Nitrogen  

1.79 

| 1.76 

1.83  | 

Oxygen 1 

9.37 

| 10.73 

7.65  | 

Sulphur  

0.67 

0.66 

0.69 

Ash  1 

3.58 

1 3.52 

3.66  1 

Coal 

Moisture 
and  Ash 
Free 


39.81 

60.19 

100.00 


Ultimate 

Analysis 


5.54 

83.89 

1.90 

7.96 

0.71 


Calorific  ~ . 

Value  Calones 

Determined  R-  T-  R- 


I 

7868  | 7733 

14162  I 13919  I 


8037  I 
14467  I 


8342 

15016 


Calorific  Value 
Calculated  From 
Ultimate  Analysis 


Calories 
B.  T.  U.. 


I I 

7753  | 

| 13955  I 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


399 


PERRY  COUNTY. 

No.  4-a. 


laboratory  number 

Operator  ......... 

Mine  

Location  

Location  in  mine 

Coal 

Date  of  sampling  

Date  of  analysis  

Depth  below  surface 


21,368 

Hazard-Dean  Coal  Co. 

Hazard-Dean 

1 mile  S.  W.  of  Hazard 

Face  of  main  No.  1, 

900  feet  from  drift  mouth. 

Fire-clay.  (Local  No.  4) 

3-1-1915 

. 3-25-1915 

250  feet 


Section  of  Mine. 


Feet  Inches 


Roof — Sandstone 

30 

Immediate  Roof — Shaly  Sandstone 

2 

6 

1.  Coal  

2 

2 

2.  Bone  

1 

3.  Coal  

1 

1 

Total  

3 

4 

Floor — flint  fire-clay. 

Excluded  from  sample,  none. 

Analysis. 


Air-dry  Loss,  2.3 

Coal 

Air 

Dried 

Coal 

as 

Received 

Coal 

Moisture 

Free 

Coal 

Moisture 
and  Ash 
Free 

Proximate 

Analysis 

Moisture  

Volatile  matter  .. 

Fixed  carbon  

Ash  

1 

1 

! 1 1 

2.22  | 4.46  | | 

37.08  | 36.23  | 37.92  j 39.67 

56.37  | 55.08  | 57.66  | 60.33: 

4.38  | 4.23  j 4.42  j 

1 | 

100.00  I 100.00  I 100.00  I 100.00 

Sulphur 

1 1 1 

0.89  0.87  0.91  0.95 

I-  1 1 1 

Calorific 

Value 

Determined 

Calories  

B.  T.  U 

1 1 1 1 
| 7751  | 7574  7928  | 8294 

13952  | 13633  | 14270  | 14929 

400 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


PERRY  COUNTY. 


No.  4-b. 


Laboratory  number 

Operator  

Mine  

Location  

Location  in  mine  

Coal 

Date  of  sampling 
Date  of  analysis  .... 
Depth  below  surface 


21,370 

...Hazard-Dean  Coal  Co. 

Hazard-Dean 

.1  mile  S.  W.  of  Hazard 


Face  of  2nd  right  entry, 

900  feet  from  mouth  of  mine. 


.Fire-clay.  (Local  No.  4) 

3-10-1915 

3-29-1915 

150  feet 


Section  of  Mine. 

Feet 

Inches 

Roof — Sandstone 

1 

| 25 

1 

1 

1 

| 

Immediate  Roof — Sandstone 

1 

1. 

Coal  

1 

i y2 
% 

6 

2. 

Mother  coal  ..  

3. 

Coal  

1 

4. 

Hard  coal  

1 

5. 

Coal  

7 

6. 

Flint  fire-clay  . ~ 

6 

7. 

Coal  

7 

Total  

4 

5 

Floor — flint  fire-clay  left  in. 

Excluded  from  sample.  Nos.  5 and  6. 

Analysis. 


Coal  Coal 

Air-dry  Loss,  1.7  Air  as 

Dried  Received 

1 Coal 
(Moisture 
Free 

Coal 

Moisture 
and  Ash 
Free 

Proximate 

Analysis 

1 1 

Moisture  2.10  j 3.74 

Volatile  matter  ..|  37.60  | 36.97 

Fixed  carbon  | 56.15  | 55.21 

Ash  ..|  4.15  j 4.08 

1 1 1 

| 38.41 

57.35 
[ 4.24 

40.11 

59.89 

1 100.00  I 100.00 

100.00 

100.00 

Sulphur  j 0.58  | 0.57 

1 1 

0.59 

0.61 

Calorific 

Value 

Determined 

Calories  | 7789  j 7658 

B.  T.  U ..|  14020  | 13784 

7956 

14321 

8309 

14956 

North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


401 


PERRY  COUNTY. 

No.  4-c. 


Laboratory  number 

Operator  

Mine  

Location  

Location  in  mine  .... 


21,369 

...Hazard-Dean  Coal  Co. 

Hazard-Dean 

.1  mile  S.  W.  of  Hazard 
Face  of  main  No.  2, 


500  feet  from  drift  mouth. 

Coal Fire-clay. 

Date  of  sampling  

Date  of  analysis  

Depth  below  surface  


(Local  No.  4) 

3-1-1915 

3-29-1915 

200  feet 


Section  of  Mine. 

Feet  Inches 


Roof — Sandstone 

1 

35 

1 

Immediate  Roof — Shaly  Sandstone 

2 

6 

1.  Coal  

1 

10 

1 

4 

i 

2.  Bone  

3.  Coal  

1 

Total  

3 

1 

3 

Floor — flint  fire-clay. 
Excluded  from  sample,  none. 

A NALYSIS. 


Air-dry  Loss,  1.6 

Coal  Coal 

Air  as 

Dried  Received 

Coal 

Moisture 

Free 

Coal 

Moisture 
and  Ash 
Free 

Proximate 

Analysis 

Moisture  | 

Volatile  matter  ..  j 

Fixed  carbon  | 

Ash  | 

1 1 
2.03  | 3.57 

! 38.47  | 37.87 

55.78  | 54.90 

3.72  | 3.66 

I 

1 

39.27 

56.93 

3.80 

40.82 

59.18 

100.00  j 100.00 

100.00 

100.00 

Sulphur 

1 

1 1 

0.78  | 0.77  1 

1 1 

0.80  | 

1 

0.83 

Calorific 

Value 

Determined 

Calories  j 

B.  T.  U | 

1 

l 7829  | 7706 

14090  | 13871 

I 

| 7991 

| 14384 

| 8307 

| 14953 

402 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


PERRY  COUNTY. 

No.  4-d. 


Laboratory  number  21,371 

Operator  Hazard-Dean  Coal  Co. 

Mine  : Hazard-Dean 

Location  1 mile  S.  W.  of  Hazard 

Location  in  mine Face  of  2nd  left  entry, 

950  feet  from  mouth  of  mine. 

Coal Fire-clay.  (Local  No.  4) 

Date  of  sampling  3-10-1915 

Date  of  analysis : 3-29-1915 

Depth  below  surface  175  feet 

Section  of  Mine. 


Feet 

Inches 

Roof — Sandstone 

1 

| 30 

I 

1 

1 

1 

Immediate  Roof — Shaly  Sandstone 

1 

1 

6 

1 

1.  Coal  ...... 

2.  Hard  coal  

3.  Coal  

4.  Flint  fire-clay 

.5.  Coal  


Total  

Floor— flint  fire-clay  left  in. 

Excluded  from  sample,  Nos.  4 and  5. 


Analysis. 


Proximate 

Analysis 


Loss,  1.8 

Coal 

Air 

Dried 

Coal 

as 

Received 

Coal 

Moisture 

Free 

Coal 

Moisture 
and  Ash 
Free 

1 

Moisture  .... 

2.15  I 

1 

3.93 

Volatile  matter  ..  | 

38.25  | 

37.55 

| 39.09 

40.60 

Fixed  carbon  | 

55.95  | 

54.94  | 

57.19 

59.40 

Ash  1 

3.65  1 

3.58  1 

3.72 

100.00  | 100.00  | 100.00  | 100.00 


Sulphur 

1 I 

| 0.69  | 

1 1 

1 

0.68  | 
1 

1 

0.71  j 
1 

0.74 

Calorific 

Value 

Determined 

Calories  

B.  T.  U 

1 1 
7831 

1 14096  1 

1 

7688 
13838  1 

1 

8002 
14404  I 

8311 

14960 

North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


403 


PERRY  COUNTY. 


No.  4-e. 


Laboratory  number  , 

(Composite 

Operator  . 

Mine  

Location  

Coal  

Date  of  sampling 

Date  of  analysis  


21,372 

of  21368-69-70-71.) 

Hazard-Dean  Coal  Co. 

Hazard-Dean 

1 mile  S.  W.  of  Hazard 

Fire-clay.  (Local  No.  1) 

3-1-1915 

3-29-1915 


Analysis. 


Air-dry 

Loss,  1.8 

Coal 

Air 

Dried 

Coal 

as 

Received 

Coal 

Moisture 
| Free 

Coal 

Moisture 
and  Ash 
Free 

Moisture  

1 

2.10  1 

3.90 

1 

Volatile  matter  .. 

37.68 

36.99 



38.49 



| 40.13 

Proximate 

Fixed  carbon  

56.22  1 

55.18 

57.42 

59.87 

Analysis 

1 

1 

Ash 

4.00  | 

3.93 

4.09 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

100.00 

100.00 

100.00 

100.00 

Hydrogen  j 

1 

5.43  | 

5.53 

5.31 

1 

5.54 

Carbon  

1 78.53  1 

77.09 

| 80.22 

| 83.64 

Ultimate 

Nitrogen  1 

1.65  1 

1.62 

| 1.69 

| 1.76 

Analysis 

1 

Oxygen  

| 9.64  j 

11.09 

| 7.92 

| 8.26 

Sulphur  

| 0.75  | 

0.74 

0.77 

| 0.80 

Ash 

4.00  1 

3.93 

4.09 

1 

1 

1 

Calorific 

Value 

1 1 
Calories  

1 

7800  | 

7656 

1 

7967 

1 

| 8306 

Determined 

B.  T.  U | 

| 14040 

13781 

| 14341 

j 14951 

Calorific  yajue  Calories  

1 

| 

7672 

! 

| 

Calculated  From 

1 

1 

T Till  yv»  n + /~i  A v»  n 1 ttC?  1 O I~~>  . JL  # LJ  ..... 

- 1 

13810 

1 

Ullllilaie  AllaiyblS  ^ | 





404 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


PERRY  COUNTY. 

No.  5-a. 


Laboratory  number 

Operator  

Mine  

Location  

Location  in  mine 

Coal 

Date  of  sampling 

Date  of  analysis  

Depth  below  surface 


21,334 

Himyar  Coal  Corporation 

Himyar 

Domino 


Face  of  2nd  entry  on  left, 

800  feet  to  drift  mouth. 


Hazard.  (Local  No.  6) 

2-15-1915 

4-5-1915 

120  feet 


Section  of  Mine. 


Feet  Inches 


1 

Roof — Sandstone 

1 

20 

0 

Immediate  Roof — Gray  Slate 

1 

2 

1 

0 

i Coal  

2 

2.  Slate  

2 

3.  Coal  ..  

8 

4.  Gray  shale  ....  

y2 

5.  Coal  

1 

2 

6.  Bony  coal  

1 

7.  Coal  

2 

2 

8.  Bony  coal  

3 

9.  Coal  

10 

Total  

5 

I 

| 6y2 

| 

Floor — fire-clay. 

Excluded  from  sample,  none. 

1 

Analysis. 


Air-dry  Loss,  3.6 

Coal 

Air 

Dried 

Coal 

as 

Received 

P0al  I Coal 
Moisture  Moisture 
F and  Ash 

*iee  1 Free 

Proximate 

Analysis 

1 

Moisture  | 

Volatile  matter  .. 

Fixed  carbon  

Ash  

i 

1 

1 

2.54  6.07 

36.31  | 35.00 

55.01  | 53.01 

6.14  5.92 

1 | 

1 

1 

37.26  | 39.76 

56.44  | 60.24 

6.30  | 

| 

100.00  1 100.00 

100.00  100.00 

Sulphur 

1 

0.63  0.61  | 

1 

1 1 

0.65  0.69 

Calorific 

Value 

Determined 

Calories  

B.  T.  U 

1 1 

7531  | 7258 

13556  [ 13064 

1 1 

| 7727  j 8246 

13909  | 14843 

North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


405 


PERRY  COUNTY. 


No.  5-b. 


Laboratory  number 

Operator  

Mine  

Location  

Location  in  mine 

Coal 

Date  of  sampling  

Date  of  analysis  

Depth  below  surface 


21,337 

Himyar  Coal  Corporation 

Himyar 

Domino 

Face  of  K(o.  2 main  entry, 

700  feet  from  opening. 

Hazard.  (Local  No.  6) 

3-9-1915 

4-5-1915 

200  feet 


Section  of  Mine. 


Feet 

Inches 

Roof 

Immediate  Roof — Coal 

1 

10 

1 

1.  Slate  

1 

1 

1 

2.  Coal  

7 

3.  Hard  coal  

4 Ms 

4.  Coal  

1 

4 

5.  Dirt  (mostly  coal)  

3 

6.  Coal  

1 

5 

7.  Hard  coal  

4 

8.  Coal  | 

4 

Total  

5 

6 Ms 

Floor — clay. 

Excluded  from  sample,  No.  1. 

Analysis. 


Air-dry  Loss,  3.2 

Coal 

Air 

Dried 

Coal 

as 

Received 

Coal 

Moisture 

Free 

Coal 

Moisture 
and  Ash 
1 Free 

Proximate 

Analysis 

Moisture  

Volatile  matter  .. 

Fixed  carbon  

Ash  

| 2.36 

35.74 

| 52.45  | 

| 9.45 

| 

5.50 
| 34.59 

50.76 
9.15 

| 36.60 

53.72 
9.68 

40.52 

59.48 

100.00  i 

100.00 

100.00 

100.00 

Sulphur  | 

1 

1 1.19  | 

1 

1.15 

1.22 

1.35 

Calorific  r„]firip. 

Value  calories  | 

Determined  ! T-  U | 

1 

7214  | 
12985  | 

1 

6982  | 
12568 

1 

7388  | 
13298  | 

8180 

14724 

406 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


PERRY  COUNTY. 

No.  5-c. 


Laboratory  number  21,336 

Operator  Himyar  Coal  Corporation 

Mine  Himyar 

Location  Domino 

Location  in  mine Face  of  1st  left  off  No.  2 main 

550  feet  from  opening. 

Coal Hazard.  (Local  No.  6) 

Date  of  sampling  3-9-1915 

Date  of  analysis  3-22-1915 

Depth  below  surface  . 200  feet 


Section  of  Mine. 


Feet  Inches 


Roof 

i 

1 

Immediate  Roof — Coal 

10 

1.  Slate  

1 

2.  Coal  

2 

3.  Hard  coal 

1 

4.  Coal  

7 

5.  Hard  coal 

3 

6.  Coal  

1 

2 

7.  Dirt  ( mostly  coal)  1 



3 

8.  Coal  

1 

2 

9.  Hard  coal 

3 

10.  Coal  



1 



1 

3 

1 

Total 

6 

1 

1 

Floor — clay. 

Excluded  from  sample,  No.  1. 

1 

1 

Analysis. 

Air-dry 

Loss,  2.8 

Coal 

Air 

Coal 

as 

Coal 

■ Moisture 

Coal 

Moisture 
and  Ash 
Free 

Dried 

Received 

Free 

Moisture  | 

2.26 

5.00 

1 

j 

1 

j 

Volatile  matter  „| 

36.09 

35.08 

| 36.93 

| 40.26 

Proximate 

Analysis 

1 

Fixed  carbon  | 

Ash  | 

53.55 

8.10 

1 

52.05 

7.87 

| 54.79 

| 8.28 

1 

| 59.74 

1 

1 

1 

100.00  i 

100.00 

100.00 

100.00 

1 

Sulphur 

1 

! 

0.68  j 
1 

0.66 

1 

1 0.69 

1 

1 

1 0.75 

1 

Calorific 

Value 

1 

Calories  | 

| 

7359 

7153 

1 

| 7529 

1 

j 8209 

Determined 

B.  T.  U | 

13246  | 

12875 

| 13552 

| 14776 

North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


407 


PERRY  COUNTY. 


No.  5-d. 


Laboratory  number 

Operator  

Mine  

Location  

Location  in  mine  ... 

Coal 

Date  of  sampling  ... 
Date  of  analysis  


21,335 

Himyar  Coal  Corporation 

Himyar 

Domino 

Face  of  1st  right  entry, 

500  feet  from  month. 


Hazard.  (Local  No.  6) 

2-2-1915 

3-22-1915 


Analysis. 


Coal  1 Coal 

Air-dry  Loss,  2.8  Air  as 

Dried  ^Received 

P0al  1 Coal 

tea? 

^ ee  1 Free 

Proximate 

Analysis 

1 1 ! 

Moisture  2.24  | 4.94 

Volatile  matter  ..  35.16  | 34.19 

Fixed  carbon  | 52.86  | 51.40 

Ash  | 9.74  9.47 

1 1 1 

i 

1 

35.96  | 39.94 

54.08  | 60.06 

9.96  

1 

1 100.00  1 100.00 

100.00  I 100.00 

1 1 1 

Sulphur  | 0.60  | 0.58 

1 1 1 

1 

0.61  | 0.68 

1 

Calorific 

Value 

Determined 

1 1 

Calories  | 7225  | 7026 

B.  T.  U | 13005  | 12647 

1 1 

| 7391  8208 

13304  14774 

408 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


PERRY  COUNTY. 

No.  5-e. 


Laboratory  number 

Operator  

Mine  

Location  

Coal 

Date  of  sampling  ... 
Date  of  analysis  .. 


21,338F 

(Composite  of  21384-5-6-7.) 

Himyar  Coal  Corporation 

Himyar 

Domino 

Hazard.  (Local  No.  6) 


..3-9-1915 

.3-22-1915 


Analysis. 


Air-dry  Loss,  3.1 

Coal  Coal 

Air  as 

Dried  Received 

Coal 

Moisture 

Free 

Coal 

Moisture 
and  Ash 
Free 

Proximate 

Analysis 

1 

Moisture  

Volatile  matter  .. 

Fixed  carbon  

Ash  

2.30 

36.00 

53.36 

8.34 

| 

5.33 

34.88 

51.71 

8.08 

36.84 

54.63 

8.53 

40.28 

59.72 

100.00 

100.00 

100.00 

100.00 

Ultimate 

Analysis 

Hydrogen  

Carbon  

Nitrogen  

Oxygen  

Sulphur  

Ash  

1 

5.18 

74.79 

1.60 

9.33 
0.76 

8.34 

5.36 

72.47 

1.55 

11.80 

0.74 

8.08 

1 

5.04 
| 76.55 

1.64 
7.46 
0.78 
8.53 

5.51 

83.69 

1.79 

8.16 

0.85 

Calorific 

Value 

Determined 

Calories  

B.  T.  U 

| 7342 

13216 

7114 

| 12805 

! 

7515 
| 13527 

8216 

14789 

Calorific  Value 
Calculated  From 
Ultimate  Analysis 

Calories  

B.  T.  U 

1 





1 

7209 

12976 



North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


409 


Laboratory  number 

Operator : 

Mine  /— 

Location 

Location  in  mine.... 


PERRY  COUNTY. 

No.  6-a. 

21,344 

Kentucky  Jewel  Mlfilfig  Ate 

Kentucky  Jewel 


% mile  N.  E.  of  Lothair 

Face  of  No.  3 main  entry, 

600  feet  in. 


Coal - — — Flag.  (Local  No.  7) 

Date  of  sampling  - ....3-8-1915 

Date  of  analysis  :... 3-26-1915 

Depth  below  surface 210  feet 

Section  of  Mine. 


Feet  Inches 


Roof — Sandstone 

30 

1 

Immediate  Roof — Sandstone 

■ ■ 

j Coal  

7 

9 Hard  coal  . 

1 

3.  Coal  

10 

4 Mother  coal  

V2 

5.  Coal  

1 

0 

6 Hard  coal  ..  

5 

7.  Coal  

7 

8.  Hard  coal  

2 

9.  Coal  

6 

Total  

1 

1 4 1 

| 2% 
I 

Floor — clay. 

1 

1 ■ 

Excluded  from  sample,  none. 

Analysis. 


Coal 

Air-dry  Loss,  2.8  Air 

| Dried 

Coal 

as 

Received 

Coal 

Moisture 

Free 

Coal 

Moisture 
and  Ash 
Free 

Proximate 

Analysis 

1 1 

Moisture  j 2.16  4.90 

Volatile  matter  ..|  35.49  | 34.50 

Fixed  carbon  | 54.69  | 53.15  | 

Ash  | 7.66  | 7.45  | 

| | 

1 1 

1 

| 36.28  39.36 

55.89  | 60.64 

| 7.83  | 

1 

1 100.00  I 100.00 

100.00  100.00 

! 1 1 

Sulphur  | 0.80  | 0.78 

1 

1 

0.82  | 0.89 

1 

Calorific 

Value 

Determined 

1 1 

Calories  | 7464  | 7255 

B.  T.  U | 13435  | 13059 

1 1 

7629  | 8277 

| 13732  | 14899 

410 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


PERKY  COUNTY. 

No.  6-b. 

Laboratory  number  21,347 

Operator Kentucky  Jewel  Mining  Co. 

Mine  Kentucky  Jewel 

Location % mile  N.  E.  of  Lothair 

Location  in  mine Head  of  5th  entry, 

400  feet  from  mouth  of  drift. 

Coal Flag.  (Local  No.  7) 

Date  of  sampling 2-27-1915 

Date  of  analysis 3-26-1915 


Section  of  Mine. 


Feet 


Inches 


Roof — Sandstone  j j 

i i 

_ 

Immediate  Roof — Sandstone 

1 

l 

1 

l 

l 

1. 

Coal  . 

1 

! 

. ..  1 

l 

1 

1 | 

0 

2. 

Bone  . 

1 

I 

1 

1 

2 

3. 

Coal 

1 

1 

i 

8 

4. 

Bone  .. 

1 

| .. 

1 

1 

3 

5. 

Coal 

1 

I .. 

1 

1 

6. 

Bone  ., 

1 

1 

1 

Coal  .. 

1 

1 .. 

1 

1 

6 

8. 

Bone  . 

1 

I 

- - 1 

3 

1 

| 

1 

1 

Total 

1 

i 

4 

0 

Floor — fire-clay. 

Excluded  from  sample,  none. 

1 

1 

I 

1 

1 

1 

Analysis. 


Proximate 

Analysis 


Calorific 

Value 

Determined 


Loss,  2.2 

Coal 

Aii- 

Dried 

Coal 

as 

Received 

Coal 

Moisture 

Free 

Coal 

Moisture 
and  Ash 
Free 

1 

Moisture  

2.15  j 

4.31 

Volatile  matter  ..  j 

35.20  | 

34.42 

35.97 

39.69 

Fixed  carbon  j 

53.47  | 

52.29 

54.65 

60.31 

Ash  j 

9.18  1 

8.98 

9.38 

i 

I 

i 

1 

100.00  I 

100.00 

100.00 

100.00 

1 

lphur 

1 

1 

0.79 

1 

0.77 

0.80 

. 0.88 

■ ’ ' ' ' I 

Calories  | 

1 

7336  | 

7174 

7497 

8273 

B.  T.  U 

13205  | 

12913 

13495 

14891 

North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


411 


PERRY  COUNTY. 


No.  6-c. 


Laboratory  number 

Operator 

Mine  

Location 

Location  in  mine 

1, 

Coal 

Date  of  sampling  

Date  of  analysis  


21,346 

Kentucky  Jewel  Mining  Co. 

Kentucky  Jewel 

% mile  N.  E.  of  Lothair 

Head  of  first  entry, 

400  feet  from  mouth  of  drift. 

Flag.  (Local  No.  7) 

2-27-1915 

3-23-1915 


Section  of  Mine. 


Feet  Inches 


Roof — Sandstone 

1 

1 

Immediate  Roof — Sandstone 

1. 

2. 

Coal  

l 

q 

Bone  

4 

3. 

Coal  

9 

4. 

Mother  coal  

1 

5. 

Coal  

1 

1 

6. 

Bone  

3 

7. 

Coal  1 

1 

0 

Total  

■ 4 

3 

Floor — clay. 

Excluded  from  sample,  none. 

Analysis. 


Air-dry 

• Loss,  2.9 

Coal 

Air 

1 Dried 

Coal 

as 

Received 

Coal 

Moisture 

Free 

Coal 

Moisture 
and  Ash 
Free 

Moisture  

j 2.14 

] 1 

1 5.00 

1 1 

Proximate 

Analysis 

Volatile  matter  . 

.|  36.86 

1 

| 35.87 



1 37.66  1 

40.40 

Fixed  carbon  

Ash  

,|  54.37 

| 6.63 

[ 

| 52  78 

| 6.44 

1 

1 1 

55.56  | 

6.78  | 

1 

59.60 

| 100.00. 

| 100.00  I 

100.00  j 

100.00 

Sulphur 

1 

1 0.96 

1 

1 1 

0.93 

1 1 

1 

0.98  j 
1 

1.05 

Calorific 

Value 

Calories  

| 7562 

1 

| 7341 

1 I 

7727  | 

8289 

Determined 

B.  T.  U 

| 13612 

| 13214 

13909  j 

14920 

412 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


PERRY  COUNTY. 

No.  6-d. 


Laboratory  number 

Operator*.... 

Min©  

Location 

Location  in  mine  

Coal 

Date  of  sampling 

Date  of  analysis........ 

Depth  below  surface. 


21,345 

Kentucky  Jewel  Mining  Co. 

Kentucky  Jewel 

% mile  N.  E.  of  Lothair 

Face  of  No.  4 main  entry, 

500  feet  from  opening. 

Flag.  (Local  No.  7) 

........ ...3-8-1915 

....3-23-1915 

200  feet 


Section  of  Mine. 


Feet  Inches 


Roof — Sandstone 

1 

25 

1 

Immediate  Roof 

— Sandstone 

1. 

Coal  . 

1 

1 

2. 

Hard  coal 

2% 

9 

3. 

Coal  

1 

4. 

Hard  coal 

4 

5. 

Coal  

4 

6. 

Hard  coal 

4V2 

2 

7. 

Coal  

Total  

4 1 

3 

Floor — clay. 

Excluded  from  sample, 

none. 



1 

1 

1 

Analysis. 

Air-dry 

Loss,  2.0 

Coal 

Air 

Coal 

as 

Coal 

Moisture 

Coal 

Moisture 
and  Ash 
i Free 

Dried 

Received 

Free 

Moisture  | 

1 

2.05  1 

4.00 

Proximate 

Analysis 

Volatile  matter  .1 

1 

37.35  | 

36.61 

| 38.14 

j 40.60 

1 

Fixed  carbon  | 

54.65  | 

53.56 

55.97 

| 59.40 

Ash  

5.95  | 

5.83 

| 6.07 

1 



1 

1 

1 

100.00  | 

100.00 

100.00 

i 100.00 

Sulphur 

1 

I 

0.69  | 
1 

0.68 

1 

1 0.71 

1 

1 

1 0.76 

1 

Calorific 

Vs  lnp 

Calories  

1 

I 

1 

7646 

7494 

1 

7806 

1 

| 8310 

Determined 

B.  T.  U 

• -'-I 

13763  | 

13489 

| 14051 

| 14958 

North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


413 


PERRY  COUNTY. 

No.  6-e. 


Laboratory  number 

Operator 

Mine  

Location 

Coal 

Date  of  sampling.... 
Date  of  analysis.—. 


.21,348F 


(Composite  of  21344-5-6-7.) 

— — Kentucky  Jewel  Mining  Co. 

Kentucky  Jewel 

% mile  N.  E.  of  Lothair 

Flag.  (Local  No.  7) 


.2-27-1915 

.3-23-1915 


Analysis. 


Air-dry  Loss,  2.5 

Coal 

Air 

Dried 

Coal 

as 

Received 

Coal 

Moisture 

Free 

Coal 

Moisture 
and  Ash 
1 Free 

! 

Moisture  

1 

1 2.10 

I 

1 4.53 

! 1 
| 

Volatile  matter  .. 

| 36.28 

| 35.38 

37.06 

40.08 

Proximate 

Analysis 

Fixed  carbon  

| 54.24 

| 52.89 

55.40 

59.92 

Ash  

1 7.38 

7.20 

7.54 

1 

1 

1 

100.00 

1 100.00 

1 

1 100.00 

100.00 

1 

Hydrogen  

5.22 

I 5.37 

1 1 

I 5.10 

| 5.52 

Carbon  

75.73 

73.85 

1 77.35 

83.65 

Ultimate 

Nitrogen  

1.67 

| 1.63 

1 1/71  1 

1.84 

Analysis 

Oxygen  

9.25 

| 11.22 

1 754  1 

8.17 

Sulphur  

0.75 

| 0.73 

| 0.76 

0.82 

Ash  . 

7.38 

1 7.20  | 

7.54  1 

1 1 

1 

Calorific 

Value 

Calories  

7509 

1 1 
| 7323 

1 

7670  | 

8295 

Determined 

B.  T.  U 

13516 

| 13181  | 

13806 

14931 

Calorific  Vatae  1 Calorie3 

1 ! 

| 7352 

f 

. 1 

Calculated  From 

1 

TTl  4-  i yy.  _ J i 

B T TT 

- - 1 

uiumaic  

| 13234  | 

1 

414 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


PERRY  COUNTY. 


No.  7-a. 


Laboratory  number 

Operator 

Mine  

Location  

Location  in  mine 

Coal 

Date  of  sampling.... 
Date  of  analysis 


21,359 

.North  Fork  Coal  Co. 

North  Fork 

Lennut 

Face  of  1st  left  entry, 


700  feet  from  drift  mouth. 
Fire-clay. 


(Local  No.  4) 

2-25-1915 

3-24-1915 


Section 

of  Mine. 

Feet 

Inches 

Roof — Sandstone 

i 

1 

l 

30 

Immediate  Roof — Gray  Slate 

1 

2 

6 

1. 

Coal  

1 

1 

1 

2 

2. 

Draw  slat.fi 

1 

1 

5 

3. 

Coal  

1 

1 

3 

l 

0 

1 

Total  

1 

3 

7 

Floor — flint  fire-clay. 

Excluded  from  sample,  Nos.  1 

and  2. 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

Analysis. 

Air-dry 

Loss,  1.2 

Coal 

Air 

Dried 

Coal 

as 

Received 

Coal 

Moisture 

Free 

Coal 

Moisture 
and  Ash 
Free 

T 

Moisture  

2.28  i 

3.40 

1 

j 

Proximate 

Analysis 

Volatile  matter  .. 

37.72 

j 37.29 

38.60 

40.39 

Fixed  carbon  | 

Ash  | 

55.65  | 
4.35  | 

1 

55.01 

4.30 

j 56  95 
| 4.45 

1 

59.61 

1 

| 

100.00  I 

100.00 

100.00 

100.00 

1 

Sulphur 

1 

n 

1.06  | 
1 

1.05 

1 

1 1.09 

1 

1.14 

Calorific 

Value* 

1 

Calories  | 

1 

7749 

7660 

1 

| 7930 

8300 

Determined 

B.  T.  U | 

13948  | 

13788 

14274 

14940 

North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


415 


PERRY  COUNTY. 

No.  7-b. 


Laboratory  number  .. 

Operator 

Mine  

Location  

Location  in  mine 

Coal 

Date  of  sampling 

Date  of  analysis  

Depth  below  surface 


21,360 

North  Fork  Coal  Co. 

North  Fork 

Lennut 

Face  of  main  entry, 

900  feet  from  mouth. 

Fire-clay.  (Local  No.  4) 

::: 2-25-1915 

3-24-1915 

120  feet 


Section  of  Mine. 


Feet  Inches 


I 

Roof — Sandstone 

1 

1 1 

30 

1 

1 

Immediate  Roof — Gray  Slate 

2 1 

6 

. 

1. 

Coal  

1 

1 

i 

2 

2. 

Draw  slate  

I 

5 

3. 

Coal  



3 

l 

1 0 

i 

Total  

1 

3 

1 7 

Floor — flint  fire-clay. 

Excluded  from  sample,  Nos.  1 and  2. 

i 

Analysis. 

Air-dry 

Loss,  2.1 

Coal 

Air 

Dried 

Coal 

as 

Received 

Coal 

Moisture 

Free 

Coal 

Moisture 
and  Ash 
Free 

Moisture  j 

! 

2.15 

1 

4.23 

Proximate 

Analysis 

Volatile  matter  ..j 

39.00 

38.17 

39.86 

41.55 

Fixed  carbon  | 

Ash  | 

54.85  | 
4.00 

1 

53.69 
3.91  | 

56.06 

4.08 

58.45 

1 

1 

i 

100.00 

100.00 

100.00 

100.00 

Sulphur  | 

1 

1 

0.80  | 
1 

1 

0.78  | 

1 

0.81 

1 

0.84 

Calorific 

Value 

l 

Calories  | 

1 

7787 

1 

7621  | 

1 

7958  | 

8296 

Determined 

B.  T.  U | 

14017  | 

13716 

14324 

14933 

416 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


PERRY  COUNTY. 

No.  7-c. 


Laboratory  number  .. 

Operator 

Mine  

Location  

Location  in  mine 

Coal 

Date  of  sampling 

Date  of  analysis 

Depth  below  surface. 


21,361 

North  Fork  Coal  Co. 

North  Fork 

Lennut 

Face  of  room  15 

Fire-clay.  (Local  No.  4) 

3-9-1915 

3-26-1915 

230  feet 


Section  of  Mine. 


Feet  Inches 


Roof — Sandstone 

1 

| 30 

i 

1 

Immediate  Roof — Sandstone 

l 

4 y2 

1.  Slate  

1 

I 

4y2 

10 

3V2 

11 

5 

4 

4 

l 

2.  Coal  

3.  Hard  coal  

4.  Coal  

1 

5.  Flint  fire-clay  

6.  Shale  

7.  Coal  

Total  mined  above  fire-clay 

3 

1 5 

Floor — clay. 

Excluded  from  sample,  No.  1. 

Analysis. 


Air-dry  Loss,  1.7 

Coal 

Air 

Dried 

Coal 

as 

Received 

Coal 

Moisture 

Free 

Coal 

Moisture 
and  Ash 
Free 

Proximate 

Analysis 

Moisture  

Volatile  matter  .. 

Fixed  carbon  

Ash  

1 1 

2.21  3.85 

37.59  | 36.96 

55.80  | 54.86 

4.40  | 4.33 

1 | 

38.44 

57.06 

4.50 

40.25 

59.75 

100.00  100.00 

100.00 

100.00 

Sulphur 

1 

! 

0.85  | 0.84 

1 1 

0.87 

0.91 

1 

Calorific 

Value 

Determined 

Calories  j 

B.  T.  U j 

1 1 
7740  7610  | 

13932  | 13698 

1 

7919  | 
14245  | 

8287 

14917 

North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


417 


PERRY  COUNTY. 

No.  7-d. 


Laboratory  number 

Operator 

Mine  

Location  

Location  in  mine 

Coal 

Date  of  sampling  ... 
Date  of  analysis  


21,362 

......North.  Fork  Coal  Co. 

North  Fork 

Lennut 

Left  entry,  face  of  room  18 
Fire-clay.  (Local  No.  4) 


...3-9-1915 

.3-26-1915 


Section  of  Mine. 


Feet 

Inches 

Roof — Sandstone 

o 

CO 

1 

f 

, 

Immediate  Roof — Slate 

7 

1.  Coal  

1 

1 

2.  Slate  

1 

7 

3.  Coal  



1 10 

4.  Hard  coal  

1 

3 

5.  Coal  

1 

10 

6.  Flint  fire-clay  

5 

7.  Shale  

4 

8.  Coal  

4 

Total  amount  mined  above  fire-clay 

— 

3 

7 

Floor — clay. 

Excluded  from  sample,  Nos.  1 and  2. 


Analysis. 


Air-dry  Loss,  2.1 

Coal 

Air 

Dried 

Coal 

as 

Received 

Coal 

Moisture 

Free 

Coal 

Moisture 
and  Ash 
Free 

1 

Moisture  1 

2.23 

1 1 
1 4.32  1 

1 

Proximate 

Analysis 

1 

Volatile  matter  ,.| 

37.97 

1 I 

| 37.16  | 

| 

38.84  | 

40.43 

Fixed  carbon  1 

Ash  1 

55.95 

3.85 

| 54.75  | 

1 3-77  i 

| j 

57.22  | 
3.94  | 

1 

59.57 

1 

1 

i 

I 

100.00 

| 100.00 

100.00  1 

100.00 

Sulphur 

1 

0.70 

1 1 

1 0.69  | 

1 | 

1 

0.72  | 
1 

0.75 

Calorific 

Value 

1 

Calories  j 

7804 

I 1 

| 7637  | 

1 

7982 

8309 

Determined 

B.  T.  U | 

14047 

| 13747 

14368  | 

14956 

418 


North  Fork  of  Kentucky  River 


PERRY  COUNTY. 

No.  7-e. 


Laboratory  number 


.21,363 


Operator 

Mine  

Location  

Coal 

Date  of  sampling. 
Date  of  analysis... 


(Composite  of  21359-60-61-62.) 

North  Fork  Coal  Co. 

.„. North  Fork 

Lennut 

Fire-clay.  (Local  No.  4) 

2-25-1915 

3-26-1915 


Analysis. 


| Coal  I Coal 
Air-dry  Loss,  1.8  | Air  | as 

Dried  jReceived 


Proximate 

Analysis 

1 

Moisture  | 

Volatile  matter  .. 

Fixed  carbon  | 

Ash  | 

1 

1 

1 t 

2.15  | 3.88  | 

37.94  | 37.26 

55.78  | 54.80 

4.13  | 4.06  | 

1 

100.00  I 100.00 

Ultimate 

Analysis 

! 

Hydrogen  

Carbon  

Nitrogen  

Oxygen  

Sulphur  

Ash  

1 1 

5.46  | 5.56 

78.17  | 76.78 

1.77  1 1.74 

9.63  | 11.03 

0.84  | 0.83 

4.13  | 4.06 

Calorific 

Value 

Determined 

Calories  

B.  T.  U 

1 

7764  | 7626 

13975  | 13727 

Calorific  Value 
Calculated  From 
Ultimate  Analysis 

Calories  

B.  T.  U 

I 

| 7663  | 

| 13793 

Coal 

Moisture 

Free 


38.77 

57.01 

4.22 


100.00 

I 

5.36  | 
79.88  | 
1.81  | 
7.87  | 
0.86  | 
4.22  | 
I 

7934  | 
14281  | 


Coal 

Moisture 
and  Ash 
Free 


40.48 

59.52 


100.00 


5.60 

83.40 

1.89 

8.21 

0.90 


8284 

14911 


* 


IRentucfy?  0coloGtcal  Survey 


J.  B.  hoeing,  state  Geologist 

NORTH  FORK  KENTUCKY  RIVER 
AND  ITS  TRIBUTARIES 


Jt 


Kentucky  (Srnlngtral  gurney 


B.  HOEING.  State  Geologist 


DRAINAGE  OF  NORTH  FORK  OF  KENTUCKY 


'RIVER  BETWEEN  HAZARD- 


KRYPTON- 


Figures  denote 


